A Polish man has been arrested and charged with plans to help Russia’s military intelligence carry out an alleged plot to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, say prosecutors.
The suspect, identified only as Pawel K, was allegedly seeking contact with Russians directly involved in the war in Ukraine and planning to pass on detailed security information to agents about Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in southeastern Poland.
The man’s tasks would help Russian special services plan a possible assassination of Mr Zelenskyy, said prosecutors.
He was arrested in Poland on Wednesday, the office of the country’s national prosecutor said in a statement.
If convicted, he could face up to eight years in prison, the statement added.
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Poland has been a strong supporter of neighbouring Ukraine and Mr Zelenskyy during its conflict with Russia.
The Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport, near the border with Ukraine, is the gateway for international military and humanitarian supplies for Ukraine.
The airport is under the control of US troops.
Prosecutors in Poland said the arrest was the result of close co-operation with security services of Ukraine, who tipped them off and who provided crucial evidence.
The case is developing, they added.
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President Zelenskyy steps off a plane at the Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in Poland in 2022. Pic: Reuters
In Germany on Thursday, prosecutors said two German-Russian men have been arrested on suspicion of espionage.
One of them is accused of agreeing to carry out attacks on potential targets including US military facilities in the hope of sabotaging aid for Ukraine.
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The two, identified only as Dieter S and Alexander J in line with German privacy rules, were arrested on Wednesday in the Bavarian city of Bayreuth, Germany’s federal prosecutors said.
A number of people, including a dual Russian-Spanish citizen, have been arrested in Poland on allegations of spying for Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
