Poland to Prosecute Sabotage Cell Over Russian-Linked Arson Campaign Across Baltic States

Three men face life in prison in Poland for arson attacks in Warsaw and the Baltics, part of an alleged Russian sabotage campaign targeting Ukraine's allies.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 4:39 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Reuters

Prosecution of a Transnational Sabotage Network

The Polish National Prosecutor's Office has finalized charges against three individuals suspected of executing a series of high-profile arson attacks across Eastern Europe. This legal action marks a significant development in Poland's efforts to combat what officials describe as a Russian-orchestrated sabotage campaign aimed at destabilizing the region. While the specific start date for the trial remains undisclosed, the prosecution has indicated that the proceedings will focus on the group’s role in a wider "hybrid war" directed at nations providing military and political support to Kyiv.

Specific Allegations of Targeted Commercial Arson

The indictments detail a calculated effort to strike major retail and commercial centers in Poland and the Baltic states. A Belarusian national, identified under privacy laws as Stepan K., stands accused of setting fire to an OBI home improvement shop in Warsaw in April 2024. Simultaneously, two Ukrainian nationals, Daniil B. and Oleksandr H., are charged with the arson of an IKEA store in Vilnius, Lithuania. The prosecution further alleges that Daniil B. was involved in the planning of a similar attack on an IKEA in Riga, Latvia, highlighting the cross-border nature of the cell's operations.

Investigation Into the Marywilska 44 Mega-Fire

One of the most severe charges involves the destruction of Marywilska 44, which was one of Warsaw’s largest shopping complexes. Prosecutors have charged Daniil B. with recording the massive blaze as it consumed the facility, a move typically associated with providing "proof of performance" to handlers. However, National Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Przemyslaw Nowak noted that the investigation remains incomplete. Authorities have yet to identify the direct perpetrator who physically ignited the Marywilska 44 hall, nor have they identified the specific "ordering party" responsible for directing the attack from behind the scenes.