A Polish man has recently been arrested for allegedly planning to collaborate with Russian intelligence services to facilitate a potential assassination of Volodymyr Zelensky, as per authorities.
The suspect, identified as Pawel K, was reportedly assigned the task of gathering information about an airport in Poland frequented by Ukraine’s president. This arrest was made based on information provided by Ukrainian intelligence, although it was not specified whether any information was actually shared.
If found guilty, the accused could face a sentence of up to eight years in prison. Currently in custody, Pawel K is under investigation as authorities delve deeper into the matter. In a statement, Polish prosecutors claimed that the individual had offered his services to Russian military intelligence and had direct contact with individuals involved in the conflict in Ukraine.
Pawel K’s role included collecting details about the security measures at Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in south-east Poland. This airport, previously a small regional hub, has now become a vital location for distributing Western military aid to Ukraine. Various military and cargo aircraft from the US and Europe utilize this airport to transport supplies to the Ukrainian border, which is about 100km away.
Due to the closure of Ukrainian airspace for most flights, leaders like Zelensky often travel via neighboring countries such as Poland and then proceed to Kyiv by train. Zelensky himself has utilized Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport for foreign trips, including his return from Washington in December 2022. Notably, other foreign dignitaries like US President Joe Biden have also passed through this airport on their way to Ukraine.
This incident is not the first of its kind involving individuals suspected of espionage for Russia. Last year, Polish authorities apprehended a group of foreign citizens believed to be spying for Russia, with reports of them installing cameras in and around Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport. Furthermore, just recently, Germany detained two alleged Russian spies for allegedly plotting to disrupt German military aid for Ukraine.
