On March 15th, the Vice Prime Minister of Poland praised law enforcement agencies for uncovering a Russian spy network, calling the operation a “great success.” Mariusz Blaszczak, who is also the Minister of Defense in Poland, made the remarks in an interview with public broadcaster “Polskie Radio.”
On Wednesday, March 14th, the private radio company RMF24 reported that the Polish Internal Security Agency (ABW) had detained six people who were allegedly part of a Russian spy network, which had been spying on Poland’s railways, among other targets, and may have been planning acts of sabotage. According to reports, the group allegedly focused on arms supplies to Ukraine.
Blaszczak told Polskie Radio, “I would like to emphasize the great success achieved by ABW officers, because the entire spy network was unraveled.” He added, “This is undoubtedly proof that Polish services are very effective in working for the security of our country.”
When asked if the spy network could pose a serious threat to Poland’s critical infrastructure, Blaszczak responded, “Of course. The threat was real.”
According to RMF24, the six individuals detained by Poland’s Internal Security Agency are from countries east of Poland and worked for Russian intelligence, Reuters reported. The spies reportedly installed hidden cameras on important railway tracks, mostly in the southeastern part of Podkarpacie, according to RMF24. Some of the cameras were discovered near the Jasionka airport, which is now a key point for the transfer of weapons and ammunition being sent to Ukraine.
According to RMF24, Poland has increased security measures around key railway routes and critical infrastructure as a result of the spy network’s discovery. Photo by Michal Roh ml., Wikimedia commons.