A Polish court sentenced a Ukrainian and a Belarusian for spying on military aid deliveries to Kyiv on behalf of Russia, in a case highlighting Russia’s ongoing espionage efforts inside Poland since the start of the Ukraine conflict.
Poland, a key NATO member and ally of Ukraine, has been critical for the transit of Western military and humanitarian support to Ukraine, much of which passes through its territory.
The two men, aged 23 and 30, were arrested as part of a 16-member spy ring comprised of Ukrainians, Belarusians, and Russians detained by Polish authorities in March 2023.
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Maksym L., a 23-year-old Ukrainian, was sentenced to six years, while Belarusian Uladyslau P., 30, received a 34-month sentence. Both were convicted for espionage and for their role in a criminal organization aiming to compromise Poland’s security. Polish law restricts the disclosure of their entire identities.
According to the court, the two spies had been active between January and March 2023, and their motive was financial gain.
They installed surveillance equipment along key rail routes to transport military and humanitarian supplies to Ukraine. The espionage group monitored strategic military supply routes, including Poland's northern seaports and critical transit hubs near the Ukrainian border.
The court said the group used the Telegram app to communicate with their Russian handlers, and their main objective was to gather intelligence on the nature and volume of Western aid flowing to Ukraine.
This incident underscores the increased efforts by Moscow to gather intelligence in countries assisting Ukraine since Russia’s invasion.
