By Jo Harper
WARSAW (AA) - Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday that 32 suspects of various nationalities, who were detained inside Poland, have engaged in acts of sabotage and arson in recent months.
"We have detained 32 people suspected of collaborating with Russian services, which ordered them to commit acts of sabotage or assault," Tusk said at a government meeting in Warsaw.
Warsaw believes Poland has become a target for Russian sabotage in a "hybrid war" waged by Moscow to destabilize countries that support Ukraine in its war with Russia. That includes driving migrants over the Belarusian border, acts of arson, cyber-attacks and social media disinformation campaigns.
An officer from Ukraine’s army urged Poland and the EU on Tuesday to prepare troops and civilians for potential Russian aggression, saying hybrid warfare “has already begun.”
Polish, US and German intelligence have warned that Russia and China could be ready for “aggressive action” by 2027. On Monday, Poland scrambled aircraft and put its air defense systems on alert after Russia launched a massive air attack on Ukraine, according to military officials.
Special Services Coordinator spokesperson Jacek Dobrzynski said Tuesday that a Colombian national, acting on behalf of Russian intelligence, was behind two arson attacks last year.
The 27-year-old suspect was responsible for the incidents in May in Warsaw and Radom, according to Dobrzynski.
The Internal Security Agency (ABW) announced that the Colombian has been charged with acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency
. Dobrzynski said the man had been sentenced to eight years in prison for acts of terrorism in the Czech Republic and could now face 10 years in prison in Poland.
Tusk said the suspects awaiting trial include a Pole, Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians.
"This list is not exhaustive," he added. A key operator of Russian sabotage operations was arrested abroad and brought to Poland as a result of diplomatic efforts, he noted.
“We have been effective in taking action against the perpetrators of sabotage and assaults, but it is also time to issue a real alert to all services," said Tusk, adding, “There is no doubt today that Russian activity also affects certain organized political circles.”
"Anyone who destabilizes the Polish state is directly or indirectly aiding Russian services, so we will act ruthlessly," said Tusk.