Ukrainian citizen Illia K. will stand trial before the District Court in Wrocław on charges of carrying out acts of sabotage on behalf of a foreign intelligence service. According to prosecutors, the defendant painted slogans glorifying the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) on building facades and, most significantly, prepared a drone-based sabotage operation during the 2025 Armed Forces Day military parade attended by Polish President Karol Nawrocki.
“Illia K. was preparing to fly an unmanned aerial vehicle over the vehicle carrying the President of the Republic of Poland during the military parade,” the prosecution said.
The now 18-year-old was arrested by Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) on August 12, 2025. Investigators from the Wrocław branch of the National Prosecutor’s Office Department for Organized Crime and Corruption allege that Illia K. acted on behalf of a foreign intelligence service from November 2024 until August 2025.
According to prosecutors, the Ukrainian citizen painted slogans and symbols glorifying the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) on building facades and monuments. Such inscriptions appeared on the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes in Warsaw, the “Volhynia Massacre” memorial in Domostawa, the memorial commemorating Polish victims murdered by the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) in Wrocław, as well as on buildings belonging to the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław, National Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Prosecutor Przemysław Nowak said.
“The actions of the defendant and those who directed him, carried out on behalf of a foreign intelligence service, were intended to incite hatred based on nationality, deepen tensions between Poles and Ukrainians, provoke social unrest, and create a sense of helplessness on the part of state authorities,” Prosecutor Nowak stated.
In total, Illia K. is accused of committing 45 such offenses. Prosecutors have also charged him with participating in an organized criminal group established to commit crimes against the Republic of Poland through acts of sabotage and subversion carried out on behalf of a foreign intelligence service.
Allegedly Planned an Attack on the Polish President
The defendant is also charged with preparing a drone operation during the 2025 Armed Forces Day military parade attended by President Karol Nawrocki.
“Illia K. was preparing to carry out an unmanned aerial vehicle flight over the vehicle in which the President of the Republic of Poland was expected to be traveling during the parade. Among other things, the defendant discussed the type of device, the costs and financing of its purchase, the method of carrying out the operation, how its completion would be confirmed, and ways to minimize the risk of detection. He also searched for offers to purchase a drone and gathered information about the parade route in the Wisłostrada area. The planned operation was not carried out because the defendant was arrested,” the prosecution said.
Changed His Defense Strategy
According to prosecutors, Illia K. initially admitted to the charges and provided testimony. He later changed his position, pleaded not guilty, and exercised his right to remain silent, Prosecutor Nowak said.
The investigation found that the defendant acted for financial gain rather than ideological reasons. He allegedly received payment for carrying out assignments, including in cryptocurrencies.
If convicted, Illia K. faces a sentence of life imprisonment. His case will be heard by the District Court in Wrocław.
Prosecutor Nowak also announced that materials concerning the remaining members of the organized criminal group have been separated into a separate investigation, which is still ongoing.