Interior minister: two Russians distributing Wagner Group's propaganda detained

"The Internal Security Agency identified and detained two Russians who distributed propaganda materials of the Wagner Group in Krakow and Warsaw," Kamiński wrote on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Both were charged with espionage, among other things, and were arrested."

The two detained Russian are now facing up to 10 years in prison.

"The actions carried out by the suspects were an element of the so-called hybrid war waged against the EU and NATO. According to our findings, the suspects have already taken similar efforts in other EU cities, including Berlin and Paris, and have been planning further actions of this kind," said Karol Borchólski of the National Public Prosecutor's Office.

According to the investigators of the case, the detained Russian citizens were putting up leaflets with the Wagner Group logo in Kraków on August 10, and also in Warsaw the follwing day. "The Russian were in possession of over 3,000 propaganda materials promoting the Wagner Group, which they had been given in Moscow," Special Services Minister-Coordinator's press office said.

"Alexei T. and Andrei G. put up a total of approx. 300 leaflets in designated public locations in Kraków and Warsaw areas. They were ordered to disseminate the materials in several hundreds public places in both of these Polish cities."

The investigators found out that the Russian had been documenting their work by photographing the locations where they had left the propaganda materials. "Based on the photographic materials they were receiving remuneration from the Russian side - they were to receive even up to 500,000 Russian roubles (approx. 20,000 zlotys) for the assignments," the office said, adding the two Russians had been planning to leave Poland on August 12.

"The suspected persons have been detained thanks to the cooperation between the ABW and the police from Lesser Poland and Masovia. During the arrest, large amounts of propaganda materials data storage devices have been seized. It's been also determined the suspects maintained an ongoing contact with their principals, who were sending both detainees guidance regarding their tasks," Special Services Minister-Coordinator's press office informed.

A few days ago, stickers promoting the Russian mercenary Wagner Group began to appear in public places in Kraków. The stickers were sheets in the A5 format with the logo of the Russian paramilitary organization the Wagner Group, with a caption saying "We are here. Join us" as well as a QR code. The propaganda materials could be found on walls and overpass pillars.