Poland arrests Russians suspected of espionage and Wagner Group propaganda

Two Russian nationals were arrested in Poland on charges of espionage and Wagner Group propaganda, Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński reported Monday morning.

“Poland’s Internal Security Agency, in cooperation with the police, identified and detained two Russians who were distributing propaganda materials of the Wagner Group in Krakow and Warsaw. Both were charged with, among other things, espionage and were arrested,” Kamiński wrote.

On 10 August, Krakow City Council member Lukasz Wantuch discovered stickers around the city advertising recruitment for the Wagner PMC. The QR code on the stickers led to a site titled “Wagner Group”, which listed phone numbers and the requirements for “employment”. Later there were also reports of the same stickers in Warsaw.

Polish authorities have arrested a total of 18 people in connection with the Russian spy network in the country. 

In late June, a 28-year-old Russian hockey player was detained on suspicion of espionage. Media outlet Agentstvo noted that Maxim Sergeyev, a Russian who played for the Polish hockey club KH Zagłębie Sosnowiec, fits the description given by the Polish prosecutor’s office.

On 10 July, Poland arrested a Ukrainian national on suspicion of spying on seaports and military facilities for Russia.

In August, Polish authorities detained a Belarusian national also accused of spying on behalf of Russia.