Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Thursday that authorities in Warsaw foiled a Russian-backed plot to assassinate a Ukrainian-American citizen, according to The Guardian. Tusk described the operation as the first situation of its kind, per CBS News.
The target was reportedly an American citizen whose activities had become "inconvenient to the Putin regime," Fox News reported. Polish security services arrested a Russian national allegedly hired to carry out the killing, NBC News confirmed. The arrest took place in Warsaw, with Tusk stating that the plot was disrupted before it could be executed.
The Guardian reports that Tusk made the announcement without providing extensive operational details. The Polish prime minister framed the incident as a serious breach of international norms, emphasizing that foreign nationals on Polish soil were at risk. The Telegraph noted that Tusk directly accused the Kremlin of commissioning the murder, marking a sharp escalation in public accusations against Moscow.
The case highlights growing concerns about Russian intelligence activities in NATO member states, particularly in Poland, which has become a key hub for Western support to Ukraine. The Ukrainian-American target's identity has not been disclosed, and Polish officials have not confirmed whether the individual remains in the country or has been moved to a safer location.
This development follows a pattern of alleged Russian sabotage and assassination attempts across Europe since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Polish prosecutors are expected to pursue charges against the detained Russian suspect, though legal proceedings may take months.
Watch for further statements from Polish intelligence or the U.S. State Department, which may confirm the target's nationality and provide additional security measures for Americans abroad.
