Poland’s counter-intel detains Russians spreading Wagner Group propaganda
14.08.2023
On Aug. 11th 2023, the officers of Poland’s counterintelligence service, the ABW, detained two Russian nationals suspected of performing tasks for the benefit of the Russian intelligence and security services. Particularly, the duo were involved in spreading the Kremlin’s propaganda regarding the Wagner Group.
Alexey T. and Andrei G. (last names withheld due to the Polish privacy laws) have been found to put stickers in many different places across Poland’s two biggest cities – Warsaw and Cracow – in recent days, promoting said Russia-linked private military company and encouraging to join it.
Before being nabbed, the suspects had managed to disseminate app. 300 stickers, but had planned to spread even more in those locations. As found by the ABW, the detainees would take photos of their work and share them with principals in the Russian services in a bid to get paid.
The suspects had planned to leave Poland on Aug. 12th. They were captured thanks to a close cooperation between the ABW and the police.
The duo have been presented with a series of charges, incl. working for a foreign intelligence agency to the detriment of Poland, participating in an international military organization aiming at committing terrorist crimes, conducting recruitment to a mercenary service banned under international law and propagating symbols and names supporting Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
Both detained suspects face up to 10 years of imprisonment.
Press Service of Poland’s Minister-Coordinator of Intelligence and Security Services