Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski announced on Monday the closure of Russia’s consulate in Krakow, citing evidence linking Russian intelligence services to a 2024 arson attack that destroyed a major shopping center in Warsaw. The decision further escalates tensions between the two countries and leaves Russia with only one remaining consulate in Poland, located in the northern city of Gdansk.
The closure comes on the one-year anniversary of the fire at the Marywilska 44 shopping center, a commercial hub housing approximately 1,400 small businesses, many run by members of the Vietnamese community. While no casualties were reported, the blaze caused extensive damage. Authorities now claim the fire was an act of sabotage ordered by Russian operatives.
“This was a huge fire in which, just by sheer luck, nobody was hurt. This is completely unacceptable,” Sikorski said during a visit to Britain. “The Russian consulate will have to leave. And if these attacks continue, we’ll take further action.”
Prime Minister Donald Tusk reinforced the accusation, stating that Polish authorities have confirmed the fire was caused by arson directed by Russian intelligence. “The actions were coordinated by a person residing in Russia,” Tusk said on social media, adding that several suspects are already in custody, while others remain at large.
The Krakow consulate closure follows similar actions by Warsaw last year, when the Russian consulate in Poznan was shut down over suspected sabotage attempts. Lithuania has also accused Russia of orchestrating an arson attack at an IKEA store in Vilnius just days before the Warsaw incident.
On Monday, Polish prosecutors charged two Ukrainian nationals with collaborating in the Warsaw arson attack. Authorities allege they were part of a broader network tasked with committing sabotage across the European Union on Russia’s behalf.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Poland — a NATO and EU member that borders Ukraine — has been a key conduit for Western military aid to Kiev. In that time, Polish authorities have reported a rise in suspected sabotage operations linked to Russian intelligence.
The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the consulate closure, warning of retaliatory measures. “Warsaw continues to deliberately undermine relations, acting against the interests of its citizens,” ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, as quoted by Russian state media.
Poland had already imposed restrictions on the movements of Russian diplomats in May 2024 and has indicated it may close all remaining Russian diplomatic missions if such acts persist. In January, Russia retaliated by shutting down the Polish consulate in Saint Petersburg.
“We know what you are doing, we don’t accept it, and we are taking the appropriate measures,” Sikorski said.