Polish security officials have accused Russia’s secret service of recruiting a Colombian national to execute a string of arson attacks on Polish and Czech soil, part of what Warsaw calls a “hybrid warfare” campaign targeting countries supporting Ukraine.

Fire and Propaganda

The 27-year-old Colombian suspect set fire to two construction supply depots in Poland in May 2024, according to Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW). He then traveled to the Czech Republic, where he ignited a blaze at a bus depot and was reportedly preparing another attack on a shopping mall before being apprehended.

Polish special services spokesperson Jacek Dobrzynski revealed the man was trained by individuals linked to Russian intelligence, who taught him how to assemble incendiary devices such as Molotov cocktails and document the arson for propaganda purposes.

“Photographs and video recordings were used by Russian-language media for disinformation,” Dobrzynski said, noting that Russian outlets falsely claimed one of the fires occurred at a logistics center for military aid to Ukraine.

Sentencing and Broader Threat

The man has already been sentenced to eight years in prison in the Czech Republic for terrorism-related charges. In Poland, he could face up to life imprisonment.

The accusations are part of Poland's broader claim that it has been a consistent target of sabotage by Russia — involving both physical attacks and cyber operations — aimed at undermining nations aiding Ukraine amid the ongoing war.

The Russian embassy in Warsaw dismissed the allegations, saying it does not comment on what it called “unfounded accusations.”