Russian GRU recruited Ukrainian refugees in Poland — WP

The Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation recruited refugees from Ukraine who fled to Poland to become saboteurs.

The Washington Post reported this, citing Polish intelligence services.

According to the newspaper, 12 Ukrainian citizens, 3 Belarusian citizens, and 1 Russian citizen have been arrested in Poland.

In March 2022, an anonymous employer began posting vacancies on the Internet with a proposal to post flyers in public places in Poland.

The messages were scattered among job offers, advice on finding accommodation, and online scams that "litter" the Telegram channels for refugees in Poland.

Subsequently, it became clear that this involved the distribution of pro-Russian propaganda.

According to Polish officials, the distribution of such materials contributed to fuelling anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland and allowed Russian intelligence services to test the readiness of recruits to fight against the government that hosted them.

In the first weeks, they were ordered to scout Polish seaports, place cameras along railways, and hide tracking devices in military cargo.

Later, the tasks became more complex and dangerous.

"The foiled operation posed the most serious Russian threat on NATO soil since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine last year," Polish officials told the publication.

The main goal of the Russian sabotage was to cut off the flow of weapons to Ukraine through Poland.

According to the officials, the recruits were paid in cryptocurrencies and through untraceable bank transfers.