Kathrine Frich
Espionage has shaped the course of conflicts, allowing governments to gather intelligence, undermine rivals and influence events far from the front line.
The war in Ukraine has intensified this hidden struggle, prompting European countries to increase surveillance and confront new threats linked to foreign intelligence networks.
Within this wider landscape, a recent case in Poland has drawn attention to the risks posed by covert operatives who blend into exile communities seeking refuge abroad.
Accusation that sparked suspicion
According to Digi24, the case began in April 2023 when arguing was heard from the apartment shared by Igor Rogov and his wife, Irina, in the city of Sosnowiec.
During the dispute, Irina sent a message to their flatmate, another Russian exile, writing: “Do you know that Igor reported you and another guy to the FSB?”
She repeated the allegation in a group chat, accusing Rogov of being a spy.
The couple later dismissed the remarks as an “unfortunate joke,” explaining that they were under strain while pursuing a divorce.
Despite their attempt to walk back the comments, the message spread quickly.
More than two years later, Rogov is now in a Polish prison facing charges of espionage and involvement in a failed bombing plot, while his wife has been charged with complicity.
Plot connected to explosive parcels
AFP and Agerpres reported that Rogov was detained in July 2024 after investigators found a parcel addressed to him that contained explosives.
Polish prosecutors allege that he cooperated with the FSB and helped prepare a scheme to place incendiary devices on transport aircraft in Europe.
Authorities in the United Kingdom and Germany have linked several warehouse fires from the previous year to the same network of attacks.
They described the attempts as part of broader hybrid operations targeting European countries.
Friends of Rogov said the allegations were difficult to comprehend. One activist told the New York Times: “Planning a terrorist attack in Poland? That is a nightmare.”
A long path into exile
Rogov, who is 29, first appeared in the public eye in 2020 when Belarusian television showed him on the ground in pain after being detained during the presidential election period.
He had traveled there with members of the opposition group Open Russia.
After returning to Russia, he married Irina and later ran in local elections in Saransk.
His former campaign manager believed they were under surveillance, noting that unidentified cars followed them throughout the campaign.
Once Russia invaded Ukraine, the couple enacted plans they had discussed earlier.
Rogov applied for a scholarship in Poland, and within days of the invasion they left the country.
Financial questions and admissions
Acquaintances in Poland described behaviour that raised suspicions. Rogov often needed help transferring money from Russia, yet he appeared able to travel and maintain a modest lifestyle.
One acquaintance told Digi24 this was “Igor’s salary from the FSB.”
In the original group message, Irina wrote that her husband had been recruited while studying in Russia and that his political activity was only a facade to gain access to exile networks. Friends said they were “shocked.”
When confronted by their flatmate, Rogov admitted to previously working for the FSB but claimed he had ended his activities long before.
Police searched for Rogov in 2024 while he was vacationing in Montenegro.
He denied knowing anything about explosive parcels. When he returned to Poland, he was immediately arrested.
Investigators later accused Irina of helping him pass information to the FSB.
From prison, Rogov wrote to a friend saying he did not understand what was happening and feared what would come next.
Sources: Digi24, AFP, Agerpres, New York Times
