Information
Poland has re-established a commission to investigate Russian and Belarusian influence on its internal security from 2004 to 2024, as announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. This move marks a significant shift for Tusk, who previously criticized the commission, set up by the former nationalist government, as a political tool against him. The decision comes amid heightened concerns about Russian attempts to destabilize Poland internally. Recently, Polish authorities arrested nine individuals, including Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Polish citizens, suspected of engaging in acts of sabotage on behalf of Russian intelligence. These acts included beatings, arson attempts, and potential sabotage targets in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and possibly Sweden.
The Polish government is taking robust measures to enhance its defence and intelligence capabilities, allocating an additional 100 million zlotys to its intelligence services and 10 billion zlotys to military defences on its eastern border. This initiative, called “Protective Shield East,” aims to fortify Poland’s border against potential threats. The re-establishment of the commission and increased defence spending come as Poland remains a critical hub for Western supplies to Ukraine, making it a prime target for Russian espionage. In recent months, there has been a notable rise in Russian-backed incidents, including attacks on opposition figures and espionage activities across Europe. NATO’s ongoing “Steadfast Defender 2024” exercises underscore the heightened vigilance and coordination among allied forces in response to these threats.
Source: AFP, Reuters
So what
Due to the high levels of espionage due to the conflict in Ukraine, and the recent arrests of Russian agents, this seems like a smart move. While this is a tough job, it is likely that this will lead to a more robust security situation in Poland and possibly in Europe. The risk from Russian intelligence remains very high across Europe and North America.
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