Poland Detains Polish-Ukrainian Dual National Suspected of Spying

Polish military police have detained a 31-year-old man holding Polish and Ukrainian citizenship on suspicion of espionage while he was attending an officer-training course for military reservists in the central Polish city of Łódź.

The man was detained on Friday, October 16, according to the Polish Military Police. The case became public on Monday, October 19, when Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk confirmed the arrest and said the relevant security agencies had acted appropriately.

The suspect was enrolled in a reservist officer-training programme at the Military Medical Academy in Łódź. Polish media reported that he was suspected of conducting reconnaissance of military installations, although authorities have not publicly identified the foreign country he allegedly worked for.

According to the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, investigators found several mobile phones, documents, official stamps, cash and gold in the suspect’s possession during the arrest. Reuters reported that it could not immediately independently confirm those details with prosecutors.

Polish military authorities subsequently confirmed that a military court had ordered the man’s temporary detention for three months while the investigation proceeds. Officials have also indicated that military counterintelligence services are handling the case.

Tomczyk said the suspect had obtained Polish citizenship some time ago. Authorities have not released his identity publicly, and it remains unclear who is representing him legally.

The arrest comes amid heightened concern in Poland over suspected espionage, sabotage and other covert activities linked to the country’s security environment. Poland, a key supporter of Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, has repeatedly accused Moscow of conducting intelligence and influence operations on Polish territory.

Russia has denied accusations of conducting such activities. However, Polish authorities have reported several investigations and arrests involving suspected espionage and sabotage in recent years.

The latest case remains under investigation, and the allegations against the detained man have not been established in court.