Poland has detained and charged two Ukrainian citizens accused of carrying out espionage and acts of sabotage on behalf of Russia.

Axar.az reports, citing Notes From Poland, that the men, aged 24 and 25, were allegedly paid to conduct reconnaissance of critical infrastructure and military facilities across Poland. They are also accused of setting fire to several vehicles with the aim of stoking anti-Ukrainian sentiment.

The suspects were detained by Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) on 3 November in Minsk Mazowiecki, a town just outside Warsaw, the capital. ABW officers also searched their residences and other locations connected to the investigation, seizing data storage devices and narcotics.

According to investigators, the suspects were tasked with setting vehicles on fire after changing their licence plates to ones used by Ukrainian military vehicles. This was “aimed at fueling anti-Ukrainian sentiment”, says the National Prosecutor’s Office.

Prosecutors have charged the men under Poland’s espionage law with working against Poland on behalf of a foreign intelligence service – a crime that carries a minimum prison sentence of five years – and sabotage on behalf of foreign intelligence, which is punishable by 10 years to life.

At the prosecutor’s request, a court ordered both suspects to be placed in pretrial detention for three months.