New charges in the case of the spy network, the so-called ‘camera operators.’ A wanted notice has been issued
December 2, 2025. Under the supervision of the Lublin Branch of the National Prosecutor’s Office, the Internal Security Agency (ABW) has been conducting, since March 3, 2023, an investigation into the activities of an organized criminal group acting on behalf of Russian special services. The group, consisting of at least 30 individuals, carried out espionage, sabotage, subversive, and propaganda operations on the territory of Poland, targeting the Polish state. As a result of operational measures and procedural actions, the ABW identified a citizen of the Russian Federation connected to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), who established, financed, and directed the group.
Photo: ABW
In 2023, as part of the above proceedings, officers of the Internal Security Agency (ABW) detained a total of 16 members of the group (12 Ukrainian nationals, 3 Belarusian nationals, and 1 Russian national). The actions undertaken prevented an attempted derailment of trains transporting weapons and humanitarian aid for Ukraine through Polish territory. The detained individuals were charged by the prosecutor with participation in an organized criminal group and acting on behalf of foreign intelligence services. All detainees admitted to the charges and provided extensive explanations consistent with the evidence gathered in the case.
Based on the collected materials, the District Court in Lublin convicted all 16 defendants. They were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 13 months to 6 years, fines, forfeiture of assets equivalent to the proceeds of their crimes, and payment of court costs. For those who have completed or are completing their sentences, deportation proceedings are underway to expel them to their countries of origin.
As part of the currently ongoing thread of the investigation, the Prosecutor has issued decisions to bring charges against eight additional members of the group — 1 Polish national, 1 Lithuanian national, 3 Belarusian nationals, 1 Ukrainian national, and 2 Russian nationals (including the group’s founder). For two of these individuals, an indictment is planned. For the remaining persons, who according to ABW findings are outside Poland, international search proceedings will be initiated. Further efforts are also underway to identify at least six additional individuals involved in the crime, their whereabouts, and their roles in the group’s activities.
Actions undertaken by ABW made it possible to determine the group’s structure, membership, scope of tasks, and methods of operation. The group had a hierarchical structure — it was led by an organizer connected to Russian special services. The tasks of its members included sabotage, destructive and subversive operations, reconnaissance of Polish military and critical infrastructure, as well as disinformation and propaganda activities aimed at destabilizing the political situation in Poland and fostering hostile attitudes among Polish citizens toward Ukraine and its support in the war with Russia.
The group was established with direct support from and on behalf of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), which provided funding and technical resources. The members communicated through encrypted channels, which were used to transmit orders, determine methods of execution, and document completed tasks (photos, video material). Payment for completed tasks was provided in cryptocurrencies.
Recently, thanks to ABW’s activities, the identity of a 28-year-old Russian citizen — Mikhail M. — was established. He coordinated the group’s activities, issued orders, and supervised espionage operations. Mikhail M. is suspected that, while residing in the Russian Federation and acting on behalf of the Fifth Service of the FSB (Service for Operational Information and International Relations) and using the Telegram messenger, he:
- established and subsequently directed an organized criminal group of at least 30 people operating in Poland, with a terrorist character, with the aim of committing crimes against the Republic of Poland, peace and humanity, as well as public safety and transportation safety, including terrorist offenses — acts under Art. 258 §4 of the Penal Code in connection with Art. 258 §2;
- organized the activities of a foreign intelligence service against Poland by establishing and directing the organized criminal group, assigning intelligence tasks to its members — acts under Art. 130 §4 in connection with Art. 130 §1, with Art. 12 §1, and Art. 65 §1;
- incited the group’s members to cause a catastrophe in land transport within Poland by attempting to derail trains carrying military and humanitarian equipment for Ukraine — acts under Art. 18 §2 in connection with Art. 173 §1, Art. 175, Art. 11 §2, Art. 12 §1, Art. 65 §1;
- incited the group’s members to commit crimes consisting of assaults on Ukrainian and Belarusian citizens residing in Poland, as well as destruction and arson of their property — acts under Art. 18 §2 in connection with Art. 119, Art. 158 §1, Art. 288 §1, Art. 11 §2, Art. 12 §1, Art. 65 §1.
The evidence collected in the case indicates that the suspect, Mikhail M., residing in a town in the Moscow region and educated as a mathematician, is linked to the FSB, which directly coordinated and financed the activities of the criminal group identified during the investigation.
Due to his specialized knowledge of cryptocurrencies, Mikhail M. supported the FSB in establishing and managing cryptocurrency wallets used to finance the group’s operations. While maintaining communication with the group’s members, he directly assigned espionage tasks and provided instructions for their execution in Poland. For that purpose, he managed Telegram accounts used as communication channels among the group members. He also received reports on completed assignments.
At the request of the Prosecutor’s Office, the District Court in Lublin applied a preventive measure of temporary arrest for three months from the date of detention. Since the suspect remains outside Polish territory, a wanted notice has been issued for him. Steps have also been taken to initiate international search procedures.
Michaił M. / Photo: Polish Police