A recent investigation by the portal Niezalezna.pl has uncovered troubling details about how Russian spy Paweł Rubcow, also known as Pablo Gonzalez, infiltrated the Polish photojournalism community. Rubcow developed close ties with Polish photojournalists, even attending events like the FotoCamp festival and socializing with prominent figures in the field.
One notable connection was with a Polish photojournalist, referred to as “Leszek” (name changed), who reportedly partied with Rubcow during a New Year’s Eve gathering in 2021. The celebration, which took place just two months before Rubcow’s arrest, featured nostalgic Soviet-era music, hinting at the deep ties the spy maintained with his homeland’s culture.
In addition to his activities in Poland, Rubcow, along with left-wing Spanish photojournalist Juan Teixeira, traveled to Ukraine multiple times, observing preparations for war just before the Russian invasion in 2022. Teixeira, a long-time companion of Rubcow, continues to defend the arrested spy, raising concerns about their activities and intentions.
Rubcow’s connections extend further into the photojournalism community through his partner, Magdalena Chodownik, who collaborates with another controversial figure, Agata Grzybowska. Grzybowska, a leftist photojournalist, gained attention during the 2020 women’s strikes in Poland, where she was involved in a high-profile incident with law enforcement.