Poland Accuses Russia of Orchestrating Arson Through Social Media

In an exclusive interview, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski accused Russia of employing arsonists via social media channels to instigate a devastating fire at a Warsaw shopping centre, prompting diplomatic repercussions and a call for heightened security measures against espionage.

Poland’s foreign minister, Radek Sikorski, has disclosed alarming evidence suggesting that Russia orchestrated a fire at a Warsaw shopping centre last year by recruiting local arsonists via the Telegram messaging platform. In a revealing interview with the BBC, Sikorski characterized Moscow’s actions as "completely unacceptable," following a Polish investigation that concluded the fire, which devastated the Marywilska shopping centre, was the result of Russian intelligence machinations.

The fire, which occurred in May 2024, resulted in the destruction of 1,400 small businesses, predominantly affecting the Vietnamese community in the area. “We have evidence that they commissioned people living in Poland, they commissioned them on Telegram and paid them to set fire to this huge shopping mall,” Sikorski emphasized, noting that the incident could have ended in tragedy had anyone been hurt.

In light of these developments, Sikorski announced that Poland would further limit Russian diplomatic presence, closing the consulate in Krakow to curb Moscow’s capacity for espionage. “We will take further decisions if they continue these hybrid attacks,” he stated, illustrating the seriousness of the situation.

The term "hybrid warfare" was invoked to describe this unfurling conflict, indicating Moscow's maneuvering in covert operations that elude straightforward attribution. Presently, only one Russian consulate remains operational in Poland, alongside the embassy, after multiple closures in response to perceived threats from Russia, including allegations of sabotage and cyberwarfare.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refuted Poland's claims, labeling them as “Russophobic” and devoid of foundation. He condemned the closure of the consulate as part of a broader campaign to diminish Russia’s diplomatic influence, asserting that Poland's approach serves to worsen already tense bilateral relations.

Following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Poland has detained multiple individuals linked to acts of sabotage allegedly commissioned by Russian intelligence. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that certain individuals implicated in the shopping centre fire are already in custody, while investigations continue to identify and apprehend other suspects.

The fire left many workers financially devastated, as significant personal documents and money were destroyed alongside their businesses – funds that had been stored at the mall out of fear for home break-ins. Traders affected by the tragedy have since relocated to a new shopping centre, Modlinska 6D, which opened in October of the previous year.