Poland, Ukraine Arrest Suspected Spies Linked to Russia

Ukraine's security service (SBU) arrested a British man who arrived in Ukraine in January 2024 and worked as a military instructor, accusing him of passing locations of Ukrainian units, photographs of training areas and personnel details to Russian intelligence and of preparing terrorist acts. Prosecutors say he later worked with border units, sought access to military facilities, discussed using explosive devices, was given instructions by Russian services on making improvised explosives, received about £5,148 for a task, obtained a pistol and two loaded magazines, and is being held without bail facing up to 12 years in prison. Separately, Polish authorities detained two Ukrainian nationals in Katowice on Oct. 14 accused of conducting reconnaissance on Polish military personnel and critical infrastructure supporting Ukraine, installing covert monitoring devices and accepting payments from a foreign intelligence service. The Polish suspects were charged and placed in three-month pre-trial detention as Warsaw intensifies counterintelligence amid a string of alleged Russian- and Belarus-linked hybrid attacks, including arson and cyber incidents. Authorities in Kyiv and NATO-border states portrayed both cases as part of a broader uptick in espionage and sabotage efforts tied to Moscow, prompting heightened security measures by allies supporting Ukraine.