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Polish authorities have announced the arrest of a man accused of espionage on behalf of Russian military intelligence, with intentions to assassinate Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Identified only as Pawel K, the Polish national is charged with providing intelligence to Russia and aiding in planning a potential assassination attempt on Zelenskyy. According to the prosecutor’s statement released on Thursday, Pawel K expressed readiness to serve the Russian military intelligence and had established contacts directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine.
The investigation gained momentum after Ukrainian authorities alerted Poland, sharing crucial information that led to the collection of “essential evidence” against Pawel K. Ukraine’s Prosecutor-General Andriy Kostin said the suspect was tasked with “gathering and transmitting” information to Russia about security at Rzeszow-Jasionka airport. This airport, crucial for Ukraine’s international support, is frequently used by President Zelenskyy and hosts United States military personnel.
Ukraine’s Prosecutor-General Andriy Kostin stressed the case’s broader implications, adding, “This case underscores the persistent threat Russia poses not only to Ukraine and Ukrainians but to the entire free world.” Kostin also blamed Russia for conducting sabotage operations across sovereign states, intensifying the geopolitical tensions in the region.
If convicted, Pawel K could face up to eight years in prison.