In a shocking development, a Polish citizen has been apprehended and charged with readiness to act for foreign intelligence, allegedly spying for the Russian government as part of a potential assassination attempt against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The arrest was made known through a joint announcement by the top prosecutors in Poland and Ukraine on Thursday.

The individual, identified as Pawel K., has been accused by the Polish National Prosecutor's Office of establishing contact with Russian military command representatives and expressing his willingness to cooperate with the Russian Federation's foreign military intelligence agency. This reportedly involved collecting and providing information regarding the security of the Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport, an international airport in southeastern Poland.

The Ukrainian prosecutor general, Andriy Kostin, revealed that the suspect's activities were aimed at assisting Russian special services in planning a possible assassination attempt on President Zelenskyy during his visit to Poland. The severity of the allegations highlights the persistent security threat posed by Russia not only to Ukraine but also to the broader international community.

The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has shared crucial evidence obtained during their investigation with their Polish counterparts. Consequently, the suspect was detained on Wednesday, and further inquiries are currently underway. If convicted, the individual could face a maximum sentence of up to eight years in prison, according to the Polish National Prosecutor's Office.

President Zelenskyy's previous visit to Poland in April 2023 was characterized by an overwhelming reception from the Polish citizens and President Andrzej Duda. Poland, lying on Ukraine's western border, has played a significant role in sheltering refugees fleeing from the aftermath of the Russian invasion.

The arrest of the Polish citizen and the alleged assassination plot serve as a stark reminder of the continuous effort by the Kremlin to undermine European and global security. Kostin emphasized the malicious intentions of the Russian criminal regime in perpetrating acts of sabotage on the territories of sovereign nations.

As the investigation progresses, both Poland and Ukraine will remain vigilant to safeguard their national security against clandestine operations conducted by foreign intelligence agencies.