Two Ukrainians suspected of Russian‑directed sabotage of Polish rail infrastructure—who once plotted a factory bomb in Lviv—are under investigation following recent revelations.
Suspects and Alleged Links to Russia
Two Ukrainian nationals, Jewheniy Ivanov and Ołeksandr Kononow, are accused of orchestrating sabotage of Poland’s railway system on behalf of Russian interests. After an operation, authorities say the men intended to flee to Belarus.
Previous Plot Against Ukrainian Factory
Ivanov, born in 1984 in Estonia and later residing in Kharkiv region, reportedly began cooperating with Russia’s GRU in 2024 under the supervision of 37‑year‑old Jurij Sizow, who is subject to EU sanctions. He tried to blow up a Lviv factory producing unmanned aerial vehicles for the Ukrainian army. Ivanov recruited a former factory worker for the plot, offering $40,000 for explosive materials, but the attempt failed when Ukrainian services discovered the devices and detained his assistant.
Ivanov later provided information to Ukrainian authorities and disclosed the “client’s” surname, yet he was never arrested. On 29 May 2025, a court in Lviv sentenced him in absentia to 15 years in prison for sabotage, treason, and illegal possession of weapons and explosives, and ordered confiscation of assets. No Interpol notice was issued.
Reactions in Russia and Poland
State‑run Russian media have altered or omitted details linking the sabotage to Russian services, labeling the connections as “rumored” and framing coverage with anti‑Russian sentiment in Poland. Kremlin officials argue that Poland and other European states unjustly attribute sabotage acts to Russia.
Polish diplomatic actions, such as revoking permission for a Russian consulate in Gdańsk, have attracted warnings from the Russian foreign ministry. Polish Ambassador Krzysztof Krajewski called the backlash “classic” and “racist rhetoric,” while Moscow pledged to limit Poland’s diplomatic presence in response.
