Poland’s national security chief, Sławomir Cenckiewicz, told the Financial Times that Russia is using cryptocurrencies to pay saboteurs involved in hybrid attacks across Europe, avoiding detection by intelligence agencies, as was reported on October 13.
Cenckiewicz said Russian operatives, often recruited by the GRU , conduct drone incursions, sabotage critical infrastructure, and hack systems, with some attacks launched using the so-called shadow fleet of repurposed oil tankers.
Evidence of these operations has been shared with NATO and European partners, including Denmark, Germany, and Norway, Financial Times writes.
The Polish security chief noted that crypto payments remain a main tool for Russia to fund agents, while Warsaw has tightened crypto regulations to curb these channels.
Over the past three years, Poland has charged dozens with spying or sabotage, closed Russian consulates, and expelled diplomats accused of aiding sabotage plots.
Cenckiewicz emphasized that Poland considers itself in a cyber “state of war” with Russia, relying on pro-NATO strategies to counter Moscow’s hybrid threats, including local agents paid small sums for targeted operations, he told Financial Times.
Previously, it was reported that French authorities were investigating the oil tanker Boracay, flagged under Benin, which is subject to European Union and UK sanctions over links to Russia actions.
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