Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Read more
Four Belarusians and two Polish nationals have been detained and charged with attempting to smuggle devices to Russia that are used in the assembly of combat drones.
Polish prosecutors said the devices are used to automate the production of integrated circuits, also known as microchips.
Poland has been warning of Russian and Belarusian attempts to destabilise countries that back Ukraine since Russia invaded the neighbouring country four years ago.
On Wednesday, Polish prosecutors said the suspects were detained on 18 February and charged with attempting to smuggle strategically significant equipment through Belarus.
The equipment is under sanctions and could be used in the production of military technology, prosecutors said.
“Violation of the provisions of the Sanctions Act is classified as a crime, punishable by imprisonment for a period of no less than three years,” they said said in a statement.
Firefighters work at the site of a residential building damaged during Russian drone and missile strikes in Kyiv (REUTERS)
Three suspects were placed in pre-trial detention for a period of three months.
The remaining three were placed under police supervision, bail, and a ban on leaving the country.
“Earlier actions by officers of the National Revenue Administration helped thwart an attempt to smuggle a machine, which contributed to the disruption of potential supplies of military equipment to the troops of the Russian Federation operating in eastern Ukraine,” prosecutors said.
