The suspect, identified as Michail Viktorovich Mirgorodski, is accused of directing a covert network tasked with surveillance, propaganda and planned attacks on critical infrastructure inside Poland.
Mirgorodski, who is believed to be abroad, is wanted under a Polish arrest warrant and is the subject of proceedings to issue an Interpol red notice, according to the National Public Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw.
"He is not in Poland, which made it impossible to detain him or formally present the charges," spokesman Przemysław Nowak said.
Prosecutors say the case centres on activities dating back to 2023, when Mirgorodski allegedly established an operation in Poland using encrypted messaging channels, including Telegram, to coordinate a group of more than 30 people.
Investigators describe the network as "terrorist" in nature, carrying out surveillance of military vehicles and installations, placing GPS trackers on equipment and attempting to obtain data from airports, railway stations and other critical infrastructure.
According to prosecutors, the group was also instructed to distribute pro-Russian, anti-Ukrainian and anti-NATO propaganda, and to prepare acts of sabotage.
Prosecutors say Mirgorodski encouraged members to derail a train – a plan classified as terrorism – and ordered attacks using petrol bombs, including arson targeting property and vehicles.
He is further accused of financing operations via cryptocurrency exchanges.
The investigation, led by the Lublin branch of the National Public Prosecutor’s Office with support from the Internal Security Agency (ABW), has been underway since 2023.
Sixteen people – 12 Ukrainians, three Belarusians and one Russian – were arrested that year and later sentenced to up to six years in prison after admitting their involvement.
Authorities say eight additional suspects remain under investigation.
Most are outside Poland and have not yet been formally charged.
Poland has repeatedly warned of heightened Russian espionage activity since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with officials citing an increase in attempts to disrupt military support routes and supply lines across NATO’s eastern flank.
(ał/gs)
Source: PAP, IAR