World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Polish speakers question FSB messages in Kaliningrad spy case
Russia’s FSB says it detained two Polish citizens in the Kaliningrad region on espionage charges.
The agency alleges that they gathered information about Russian military personnel and Defense Ministry facilities.
The FSB released a video showing part of a WhatsApp exchange that it said was between a Polish agent and a handler discussing a border officer.
Native Polish speakers found errors and unnatural phrasing in the messages, including expressions they say are not used in Poland.
One speaker said the exchange did not sound like native Polish, though some messages seemed more natural than others.
The language problems have raised doubts about the messages, but the available information does not establish who wrote them.
The FSB’s allegations remain the basis of the case, and no next steps are specified.
Native Polish speakers have questioned the authenticity of messages released by Russia’s Federal Security Service in connection with a spy case in the Kaliningrad region.
The FSB said on November 11 that two Polish citizens had been detained on espionage charges.
Russian authorities allege that the detainees collected and passed on information about Russian military personnel and Defense Ministry facilities.
Two native speakers consulted by Agentstvo identified errors and unnatural phrasing in the Polish-language exchange shown in an FSB video.
One speaker said the messages sounded like a translation, particularly the green messages.
- Who
- Russia’s FSB released the messages; two Polish citizens were detained. Native Polish speakers questioned the language in them.
- What
- The FSB said a Polish intelligence “spy network” was operating in Kaliningrad and released alleged messages between an agent and a handler. Native speakers said the Polish contained errors and unnatural phrasing.
- When
- The FSB announced the detentions on November 11. One detainee was arrested on July 30 and the other was detained on October 28.
- Where
- The Kaliningrad region, Russia.
- Why
- Russian authorities allege that the detainees collected and passed on information about Russian military personnel and Defense Ministry facilities.
Russian FSB and authorities
Native Polish speakers
Authenticity of messages
Russian FSB and authorities
The FSB presented the WhatsApp exchange as messages between a Polish intelligence agent and his handler.
Native Polish speakers
Two native speakers told Agentstvo that the exchange contained mistakes and unnatural phrasing.
Interpretation
Russian FSB and authorities
The FSB translated “robić rozmowy” as “communicates” and “na granice” as “at the border.
Native Polish speakers
The speakers said these expressions were not natural Polish, and pointed to other errors in the messages.
One of the Polish citizens was arrested.
The other Polish citizen was detained.
The FSB said a Polish intelligence “spy network” had been operating in the Kaliningrad region and that two people had been detained.
Meduza reported that native Polish speakers had questioned the language in messages released by the FSB.
- Detainees
- Two Polish citizens
- Region
- Kaliningrad region, Russia
- First arrest
- July 30
- Second detention
- October 28
- FSB announcement
- November 11
- Language review
- Two native Polish speakers consulted by Agentstvo identified errors and unnatural phrasing
What people are saying
No, it doesn’t sound like native Polish. It looks like a translation, especially the green messages. The white messages sound more natural,