Salam: Poland detains suspected saboteurs amid fears of foreign 'hybrid warfare'
As-salamu alaykum. Authorities in Poland have arrested eight people across the country on suspicion of espionage and sabotage, amid claims that a foreign power is running spy and sabotage operations in Europe targeting countries that support Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the case is still unfolding and that “further operational activities are ongoing,” without giving many details. Tomasz Siemoniak, coordinator of Poland’s special services, said the suspects are believed to have been gathering intelligence on military sites and critical infrastructure, preparing materials for sabotage, and carrying out attacks.
The national prosecutor later said the arrests were linked to plans to send explosive-laden packages intended to intimidate people and destabilise EU countries backing Ukraine. Officials said three of those arrested are Ukrainian nationals, and that a network was allegedly set up to move explosives through Poland and Romania towards Ukraine.
Romanian intelligence reported preventing sabotage acts by two Ukrainian citizens who, they say, were acting under direction from representatives of a foreign secret service. Romanian authorities said the pair left explosive packages at an international delivery firm.
Polish spokespeople noted that Poland has been targeted in what they describe as a “hybrid war” aimed at undermining states that support Ukraine, and that about 55 people have been detained over suspected espionage and sabotage in recent years, with charges under the penal code related to those offences.
Other European countries have made similar accusations, while Moscow denies the claims, calling them “Russophobia.” Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, several arrests and foiled plots across Europe have been reported, and this autumn drone incursions have added to security worries in a number of states.
Danish leaders warned that Europe may be at the start of a wider hybrid conflict, and Poland’s prime minister said air defences need urgent strengthening after recent drone incidents. The EU is discussing measures to protect borders and critical sites from low-cost drone threats.
May Allah protect the innocent and grant security and wisdom to those in charge. Please keep this situation in your duas.
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