The indictment, filed on 25 March and announced on 2 April, covers four incidents: the April 2024 arson of an OBI hardware store in Warsaw, the May 2024 fire at an IKEA store in Vilnius, the burning down of the Marywilska 44 shopping centre in the Polish capital in May 2024, and a planned, but foiled, attack on an IKEA store in Riga.
The accused
The five defendants are accused of operating as part of an international criminal network directed by Russian intelligence.
All are Ukrainian nationals, except for Stepan K., accused of the OBI arson, who is Belarusian.
Prosecutors say he filmed his actions and that some footage was later published on Russian propaganda websites.
Among the other four is Daniil B., charged with filming the Marywilska blaze and sending the footage to his handlers, and with participating in the Vilnius attack.
He was arrested in Lithuania before he could carry out the planned Riga attack.
Oleksandr H. is charged with the Vilnius IKEA attack, including constructing and deploying an incendiary device, and with participating in preparations for further attacks.
Vitalii K. is accused of providing logistical support for the Vilnius attack, including transport for the perpetrators and the device, as well as helping a suspect evade justice after the fires and concealing vehicles.
He also faces a charge of assault in Wólka Kosowska, near Warsaw.
Pavlo T. faces a single charge of aiding in the same assault.
The defandants' last names are withheld under Polish privacy laws.
Investigation ongoing
Prosecutors stressed that the direct perpetrator of the Marywilska fire has not yet been identified, with the investigation continuing.
The Marywilska 44 centre burned to the ground on 12 May 2024.
It housed around 1,400 shops and service points used by more than 700 traders.
This is the second indictment in the case.
In September 2025, a Warsaw court convicted three Ukrainian nationals in a related trial for membership in the same sabotage network.
Two alleged ringleaders – Serhii Chalyi and Oleksandr Varyvoda – remain at large and are subject to European arrest warrants.
(ał)
Source: gov.pl, tvn24.pl