They spoke after the head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), Vasyl Maliuk, credited cooperation with Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) for disrupting the plan.
He told reporters that the would-be assassin intended to use either a first-person-view (FPV) drone or a sniper rifle.
Polish authorities clarified that the attempted attack occurred in April 2024.
Jacek Dobrzyński, spokesman for Poland’s Ministry of the Interior and Administration, recalled a public statement made at the time by the ABW, which reported the detention of a Polish national, identified only as Paweł K., in the Lublin region of eastern Poland.
The suspect had allegedly offered to act on behalf of the Russian intelligence service against Poland and was found in illegal possession of ammunition.
Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak confirmed the arrest and pre-trial detention of Paweł K., describing him as someone who “sought contact with Russian intelligence services.”
The formal indictment was submitted to court this year on May 19.
Siemoniak added that Polish security services continue to work closely with their Ukrainian counterparts to ensure Zelensky’s safety during his visits to Poland.
Przemysław Nowak, spokesman for Poland’s prosecution service, said the indictment was filed over a month ago, reiterating that the arrest took place in April 2024.
According to prosecutor Katarzyna Calów-Jaszewska, Paweł K. had been gathering and relaying information about security arrangements at the Rzeszów airport, a key logistics hub for aid to Ukraine.
These details were intended to support Russian intelligence services in planning a possible assassination, she said.
Polish interior ministry official Dariusz Aleksandrowicz told reporters that the incident occurred a year ago, dismissing any suggestions that the attempted attack happened recently as inaccurate.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on the case at the time, warning that even lone actors can pose serious threats
“Even if we are dealing with an isolated madman, a significant share of political assassinations begin with just such individuals,” he wrote.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP