Security Services in Belarus have claimed that five men, all former soldiers, were passing information to Warsaw about the joint Russia-Belarus air defence system.

Images of the man named as the spy cell's organiser, appeared on national TV in Belarus. The man said he was recruited by Polish officials after he was stopped at the border with Belarus with too much alcohol in his luggage.

One of the alleged spies is a Russian man, who has reportedly given himself up to the FSB.

The men have all been charged with spying and could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty.

“I would like to emphasize that the timely actions of the counterintelligence crevice prevented the damage to the defence capability of Russia and the Republic of Belarus,” Viktor Vegera, Belarus Security Service representative, commented.