Two Russians detained in Poland over recruiting Wagner

There is growing concern in Poland over the presence of Wagner mercenaries in Belarus. Photo: Roman Romokhov/AFP via Getty Images

The men Alexei T. and Andrei G., named Alexei T. and Andrey G., were sent from Moscow with an offer to earn up to 500,000 rubles (£3,800) for distributing recruiting materials around the country, according to Polish officials. .

The couple reportedly photographed their work and received commissions. Photos of the flyers posted on social media by members of the public showed the Wagner skull emblem inside a crosshair on a black background with the message in English: “We are here” and “Join us” followed by a QR code.

The code led to a Russian-language website where one could find more information on how to join the Wagner ranks.

“The evidence shows that the men received these propaganda materials in Moscow, along with a list of places that they should have visited. On August 10, they operated in Krakow, on August 11 – in Warsaw,” said Stanislav Zaryn, a spokesman for the Polish government.

The men who planned to leave Poland on August 12 have been held in pre-trial detention and face up to 10 years in prison, officials said.

The exact purpose of the detention is unclear. campaign was. Poland is an important ally of Ukraine and is unlikely to be fertile ground for recruiting Wagner.

A man shows a flag with the Wagner logo in southern Russia . Photo: Roman Romokhov/AFP via Getty Images.

One of the theories in the Polish media is that the leaflets are part of a strategy of psychological terror against Polish society carried out by actors in Russia at a time when fears have risen. that Wagner could be planning an attack on a NATO member state from Belarus.

Several members of the group and its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, were exiled to Belarus after organizing a failed mutiny against the top Russian brass army in June.

Warsaw recently announced plans to send another 10,000 troops to the border with Belarus due to growing concerns about the presence of Wagner mercenaries in the country.