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.
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.
