According to the Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza, Russian intelligence is actively operating online, seeking out "partisans ready to commit arson" in Europe and the U.S.
They offered $5,000 for setting fire to a paint factory in Wrocław, located in southwestern Poland, near a fuel storage facility belonging to the Orlen Group, which holds approximately 56 million tons of fuel.
Involved in this case is Serhii S., who was apprehended by Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) in January. A court rejected his plea deal for a three-year prison sentence, considering it too lenient. As a result, his sentence will now be determined through a full court trial.
A series of arsons ordered by the GRU in Europe
In recent months, Poland has experienced a series of arson attacks, including fires at a high school in Grodzisk Mazowiecki and a shopping center on Marywilska Street in Warsaw, where investigators are considering the possibility of sabotage.
Minister of Internal Affairs Tomasz Siemoniak confirmed that authorities are investigating whether these fires are connected to Russian sabotage efforts. Other incidents, such as arson in Gdańsk or Gdynia in northern Poland, are also being examined for possible ties to sabotage.
Russian espionage tactics
Fires and explosions in the Czech Republic, including an ammunition explosion at a training ground in Libavá, have also been linked to Russian intelligence operations.
Media reports suggest Russian involvement in a foiled arson attempt at a bus depot in Prague.
German counterintelligence suspects Russia was behind an incident involving an explosive device in an air freight package that caused a fire at a warehouse.
British authorities are investigating whether a similar incident in the UK is connected to Russian espionage activities.
Young saboteurs behind recent arson incidents in Germany and the UK
Deutsche Welle has reported that acts of sabotage are primarily being carried out by very young individuals who are deliberately provoked by Russian special services.
Minors, receiving orders through social media or Telegram, are setting fires to targets such as railways and military sites. For each act of arson on a specific target, they can earn thousands of dollars.
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Source: IAR/PAP/TVN24/DW/X/@jarek_jakimczyk/@dw_polski
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