Polish Man Arrested Over Alleged Russian Plot to Assassinate Zelenskyy

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Facts

  • A Polish man — identified only as Pawel K. — was this week arrested after local authorities alleged he was part of a Russian plot to assassinate Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy.1
  • In a statement from the office of Poland’s National Prosecutor on Thursday, the man was accused of being prepared to pass airport security information from the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport in southeastern Poland to Russian agents.2
  • According to reports, the airport — which lies near Poland's southeastern border with Ukraine — is under US military control and operates as a gateway for humanitarian and military aid into Ukraine, as well as a hub for international leaders traveling in and out of the country.2
  • The statement from the Polish prosecutor added that the arrest was the result of a tip-off security services of Ukraine, further stating they provided crucial evidence and that they continue to assist in an ongoing investigation. If found guilty, the man faces a maximum jail sentence of eight years.3
  • News of the Polish arrest came hours after prosecutors in Germany also said they made arrests in connection with alleged Russian intelligence operations. In a statement, German officials said they arrested two German-Russian dual nationals on suspicion of surveilling US military facilities and other sites in Germany.4
  • The two men — identified only as Dieter S. and Alexander J. — are accused of identifying targets for arson and attacks, as well as sharing photos and other intelligence with a Russian agent. Berlin's Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned the Russian ambassador in the capital for a meeting.4

Sources: 1Guardian, 2Associated Press, 3Sky News and 4BBC News.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by CNN. It's only thanks to the diligent work of Polish, Ukrainian, and German intelligence officials that these heinous and unacceptable Russian plots were discovered. Nonetheless, these are grave escalations by Russia and they are utmostly condemned.
  • Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. If Russia wanted to assassinate Zelenskyy, why not do it on the dozens of occasions he takes pictures with troops on the frontlines in Ukraine? If Russia's enemies believe the country is foolish enough to stage such an attack to achieve its wider military aims, those enemies have bad news coming.

Predictions