The operation aimed to disrupt aid corridors when most weaponry for Kyiv transited Poland. Handlers on Telegram — using aliases such as “Andrzej,” “Barbados,” “Mara,” “Pink,” “Gabriel Kuczynski” and “Secret Chat” — allegedly directed 12 Ukrainians, three Belarusians and a Russian.
In Feb–Mar 2023, six solar cameras were found near strategic rail lines; footage was sent to the cloud to track volumes and timing of shipments, prosecutors say.
Sixteen suspects were arrested. Searches recovered phones, SIMs, laptops, GPS units, cameras, and gear for projecting slogans and distributing anti-Ukrainian leaflets.
Tasks reportedly ranged from installing cameras and GPS trackers to arson and recruiting for assaults or derailments, plus projecting slogans on state buildings and anti-NATO graffiti.
Payments were in cryptocurrency, including USD 5–7 for propaganda acts, USD 200–400 for arson, USD 300–400 per camera, USD 400 for a beating and USD 10,000 to derail a train.
Targets included the ports of Gdańsk and Gdynia, Gdynia Naval Port and the Bumar Łabędy arms plant.
In December 2023, a Lublin court convicted 14 members of spying; sentences ranged up to six years.
After mid-November sabotage on the Warsaw–Dorohusk rail link, police sought Ukrainians Jewhenij Ivanov and Ołeksandr Kononov, who fled to Belarus.
On Monday, prosecutors sought European Arrest Warrants.
(jh)
Source: Onet, Polskie Radio 24, PAP