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Headline: Belarusian Charged with Setting Fire to Warsaw Store as Part of Russian Sabotage Campaign
Short Summary: In April 2024, Stepan K., a Belarusian national posing as an opposition refugee, set fire to a large OBI home improvement store on Radzymińska Street in Warsaw, Poland. Polish prosecutors state he operated under orders from Russian intelligence, remotely triggering incendiary devices at night to cause arson without endangering customers. The fire caused 3.5 million zloty (€835,000) in damage. This event was part of a broader Russian sabotage campaign, with links to other arson attacks in Central and Eastern Europe, notably a major fire at Warsaw's largest shopping center in May 2024. Stepan K. faces charges of terrorism and threatening life or property, carrying a potential sentence of 10 years to life imprisonment, and is in pretrial detention. The investigation includes cooperation with Lithuanian authorities and connections to an organised criminal group involving other agents, including a Ukrainian jailed previously for Russian sabotage in Poland. Authorities also reveal false identities and secret Russian contacts maintained by Stepan K. during his time in Poland. The case highlights Poland's ongoing struggle against Russian hybrid warfare including sabotage and cyberwarfare.
Extended Summary: In April 2024, Stepan K., a Belarusian national posing as an opposition refugee, set fire to a large OBI home improvement store on Radzymińska Street in Warsaw, Poland. Polish prosecutors state he operated under orders from Russian intelligence, remotely triggering incendiary devices at night to cause arson without endangering customers. The fire caused 3.5 million zloty (€835,000) in damage. This event was part of a broader Russian sabotage campaign, with links to other arson attacks in Central and Eastern Europe, notably a major fire at Warsaw's largest shopping center in May 2024. Stepan K. faces charges of terrorism and threatening life or property, carrying a potential sentence of 10 years to life imprisonment, and is in pretrial detention. The investigation includes cooperation with Lithuanian authorities and connections to an organised criminal group involving other agents, including a Ukrainian jailed previously for Russian sabotage in Poland. Authorities also reveal false identities and secret Russian contacts maintained by Stepan K. during his time in Poland. The case highlights Poland's ongoing struggle against Russian hybrid warfare including sabotage and cyberwarfare.
A Belarusian man, identified only as Stepan K. under Polish law, has been charged in Poland for carrying out a terrorist act by setting fire to a large OBI home improvement store in Warsaw in April 2024. Polish prosecutors allege he acted on behalf of Russian intelligence services, remotely triggering incendiary devices at night after planting them during the day, causing approximately 3.5 million zloty (€835,000) in damages. The act is part of a broader Russian sabotage campaign against Poland, linked to other arson attacks in Central and Eastern Europe, including a larger fire that destroyed Warsaw's biggest shopping center in May 2024. Stepan K. allegedly posed as a Belarusian opposition supporter seeking refuge while secretly maintaining contacts with Russian security services, including visits to Russia during his time in Poland. He faces charges including terrorism and threats to life, with a prison sentence of 10 years to life possible. The case is linked to an organized criminal group also including a Ukrainian man recently jailed for Russian sabotage activities. Polish authorities are cooperating with Lithuanian counterparts in the investigation, amid ongoing concerns about Russian hybrid warfare in Poland.
The article clearly describes a Belarusian agent acting on behalf of Russian intelligence to conduct arson sabotage in Poland, explicitly attributed by Polish prosecutors and statements from officials, confirming hostile aggression. No defensive measures or responses are detailed in the article, classifying this solely as an aggressor event.
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