On April 14, 2024, Stepan K. entered the OBI hardware store on Radzymińska Street, poured a flammable liquid, and left devices that could remotely ignite the fire. The blaze broke out just before 5 a.m., at dawn, when no customers were in the building. Although the fire protection systems functioned properly, the damages amounted to approximately 3.5 million PLN.
The OBI fire was the first in a series of arson attacks that occurred in Warsaw – and beyond – during the spring of 2024. A month later, a massive fire destroyed the Marywilska 44, a huge shopping center located on the outskirts of Warsaw. On the same day, while firefighters were still extinguishing the flames at Marywilska, a waste heap near a recycling plant and a construction materials storage facility in Zawady also went up in flames.
At the time, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk directly accused Russian intelligence services of carrying out acts of sabotage on Polish territory.
Warsaw Spy’s Recordings Used in Russian Propaganda
The investigation into the OBI arson is being conducted by the Mazovian Branch of the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption at the National Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw.
According to National Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Przemysław Nowak, investigators gathered sufficient evidence through forensic examination of the crime scene, analysis of surveillance footage, and expert opinions. They determined that the fires were started by Stepan K., a Belarusian citizen. "He recorded his sabotage activities on his phone, documenting the arson. Some of these materials were later published by Russian propaganda websites," Nowak stated.
He added that Stepan K. committed the arson on behalf of the Russian Federation and under orders from Russian intelligence agencies.
Prosecutors have charged him with sabotage for a foreign intelligence service and acts of terrorism. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment.
Arrest Warrant Issued for Saboteur, but He’s Already Behind Bars
Court has ordered Stepan K. to be detained for three months. However, this is merely a formality, as he is already in custody for another case. He is suspected of involvement in an organized criminal group responsible for recruiting and coordinating sabotage operations on behalf of Russian intelligence. "In that investigation, Stepan K. has also been charged with espionage and participation in an organized criminal group aimed at committing crimes against the Republic of Poland, including working for a foreign intelligence agency," Nowak added.
The case is linked to an ongoing investigation into Olgierd L., a gangster from Gdańsk. Olgierd L. was mentioned in a high-profile report on threats to the presidential candidacy of Nawrocki, revealed by the newspaper Wyborcza. The report describes him as "a gangster previously convicted of pimping and brutal assaults, one of Poland’s most infamous neo-Nazis in the past, and now a member of motorcycle gangs".
Olgierd L. is associated with Kamil K., known by the alias "Korek". Since January, the Wrocław branch of the National Prosecutor’s Office has been investigating a series of arson attacks in Poland allegedly ordered by Russian intelligence.
The first arrest in this case was of a pro-Russian Ukrainian citizen, Serhii S., who is currently suspected of preparing an arson attack at a paint supply center in Wrocław’s Kwidzyńska Street under orders from Russian intelligence.
Intelligence Cooperation Against Russian Saboteurs
In May, two Belarusian nationals and "Korek" were also arrested in connection with the case. Recently, the Polish Internal Security Agency (ABW) apprehended a third Belarusian suspect. All four individuals are suspected of carrying out multiple arson attacks on behalf of Russian intelligence, including fires at a pallet warehouse in Marki near Warsaw and an Italian restaurant in Gdynia.
According to prosecutors, the investigation that led to the arrest of Stepan K. is also examining arson attacks on other large retail stores in Poland and across Central and Eastern Europe, including Lithuania.
Polish security services have established a cooperation agreement with their Lithuanian counterparts, resulting in the formation of a special investigative team. Its primary goal is to coordinate law enforcement actions and facilitate the exchange of intelligence and evidence.
Translation: Patrycja Eiduka
This article was written in the framework of The Eastern Frontier Initiative (TEFI) project. TEFI is a collaboration of independent publishers from Central and Eastern Europe, to foster common thinking and cooperation on European security issues in the region. The project aims to promote knowledge sharing in the European press and contribute to a more resilient European democracy.
Members of the consortium are 444 (Hungary), Gazeta Wyborcza (Poland), SME (Slovakia), PressOne (Romania), and Bellingcat (The Netherlands).
The TEFI project is co-financed by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.