What's happened
Multiple arrests in Poland and Germany reveal a network of Russian espionage and violence in Europe, with suspects detained for spying and planning attacks, including on Ukrainian President Zelensky. Polish and German citizens are accused of collaborating with Russian agents to carry out these activities, highlighting concerns about Kremlin's covert operations in the West.
Why it matters
The arrests of individuals involved in spying and violent attacks in Europe, including on high-profile figures like Ukrainian President Zelensky, have significant implications for regional security and diplomatic relations. The incidents underscore the ongoing threat posed by Russian intelligence operations and the need for heightened vigilance and cooperation among European nations to counter such activities.
What the papers say
The New York Times and The Guardian report on the arrests of individuals in Poland linked to the attacks on Leonid Volkov, shedding light on the covert operations orchestrated by Russian entities. The Moscow Times provides additional details on the suspects detained in connection with the assault on Volkov, emphasizing the cross-border nature of the criminal activities. Politico covers the arrest of a Polish citizen for allegedly plotting an attack on Ukrainian President Zelensky, highlighting the international ramifications of the espionage and violence.
How we got here
The arrests in Poland and Germany come amidst escalating tensions between Russia and Western countries, with concerns over Russian intelligence activities and covert operations in Europe. The attacks on Leonid Volkov and the alleged plot against President Zelensky reflect the broader geopolitical challenges facing the region, including the use of violence and espionage as tools of statecraft.
Common question
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Alexei Anatolievich Navalny is a Russian politician and anti-corruption activist. He gained prominence in Russia, and in Russian and international media, as a critic of corruption, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his government.
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Gitanas Nausėda is a Lithuanian economist, politician and banker, having worked as the Director of Monetary Policy at the Bank of Lithuania from 1996 until 2000, and chief economist to the chairman of SEB bankas from 2008 until 2018.
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Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. Lithuania is one of the Baltic states. The country is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, to the southeast of Sweden and Denmark.
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Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country located in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative subdivisions, covering an area of 312,696 square kilometres, and has a largely temperate seasonal climate.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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The Moscow Times is an English-language online-only newspaper based in Moscow. It was in print from 1992 until 2017, with a peak circulation of 55,000.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.