Russia Rents Colombians For Burns Attack Operations In Poland

JAKARTA - A Colombian citizen acting on behalf of Russian intelligence carried out two arson attacks in Poland last year, before setting fire to a bus depot in the Czech Republic.

Poland's Homeland Security Agency (ABW) said the 27-year-old suspect burned two depots of construction supply in Poland in May 2024 on Russian orders as part of a hybrid war operation.

"He was trained by someone connected to the Russian intelligence service. They taught him how to prepare incendiary materials, Molotov cocktails, and how to document this arson attack," said special coordinator spokeswoman, Jacek Dobrzynski, as reported by Reuters, Tuesday, July 29.

Photos and video recordings are used by Russian-language media for disinformation and propaganda purposes.

Russian media later mistakenly reported that one of the fires broke out in a logistics center in the city of Radom which was used to store military equipment provided by Europe as assistance to Ukraine.

Dobrzywasski said, after the arson attack in Poland, the Colombian went to the Czech Republic, where he burned the bus depot.

He is believed to be preparing for another attack on a shopping center when Czech authorities detained him.

"He was sentenced to eight years in prison for acts of terrorism he committed (in the Czech Republic). In Poland, he faces up to 10 years in prison or even a life sentence," said Dobrzy Marijuski.

Poland has been the target of sabotage, which officials say is part of Moscow's "hybrid war" to destabilize countries supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russia, involving tactics such as arson and cyberattacks.

Russia had previously denied involvement in the attack.