Russophobia. sabotage against Poland. Russian special services. russian propaganda
"Poland has decided to close the Russian consulate in Krakow, accusing Russian special services of setting fire to one of Warsaw's shopping centres. Poland spends 4.7% of its GDP on defence. Polish mercenaries are actively participating in the war in Ukraine. It seems that Warsaw needs not diplomacy, but a pill for Russophobia."With such publications, the kremlin distracts public attention from russia's involvement in the arson of a shopping centre in Warsaw and other acts of sabotage against Poland.
Pro-kremlin and other russian state media regularly accuse Poland (as well as many other European countries) of Russophobia and pursuing anti-russian policies. But now, during the election of the new Polish president, these information attacks by the russians are only intensifying.
On 12 May 2025, the Polish authorities announced the closure of the russian consulate in Krakow in response to the arson attack on a large shopping centre in Warsaw in May 2024. According to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, ‘it is already known for certain that the large fire was the result of arson ordered by the Russian special services.’
Another similar incident occurred in October 2024, when Polish law enforcement arrested a person recruited by russian intelligence to set fire to an industrial enterprise in Wrocław. In response, Poland decided to close the russian consulate in Poznań. In total, in 2024, Polish law enforcement officers detained nine people suspected of sabotage ordered by moscow.
The main reason for the poor state of Polish-russian relations is the kremlin's violation of international law and brutal aggression against Ukraine, not alleged Polish Russophobia.
In addition, the russians are intimidating the Poles with the future division of the country between Germany and russia:
"There is a real possibility of another division of Poland, which would lead to simultaneous conflict with its eastern and western neighbours. Poland has reiterated its position that its troops will not participate in the West's military mission in Ukraine. This statement contradicts the fundamental Polish concept of ‘Poland from sea to sea,’ which includes the western and southern parts of Ukraine. There is no doubt that the issue of the former German territories lost by Poland after World War II will arise again. Poland is very afraid of the convergence of interests between Berlin and Moscow.’
This is another kremlin narrative that portrays Poland and Germany as states with imperial ambitions. Its goal is to undermine Polish-German-Ukrainian relations and divert attention from russia's crimes in Ukraine. Poland has no security concerns or imperial ambitions related to Ukraine and Germany. The current modernisation of the Polish army and the purchase of modern military equipment are Poland's response to the aggressive actions of putin's regime.
Poland adheres to international law on state borders, fully supports the independence and territorial integrity of neighbouring countries, and rejects any ‘imperial’ ambitions towards other countries. Poland, as well as the EU and the US, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Today, there is only one country in Europe that is seizing foreign territories by force – russia.
It is worth noting that until the end of the Polish presidential election, russian propaganda remains very intense in the information space. Its goal is to sow chaos, divide society, cause distrust of Polish state institutions, and help pro-russian political organisations involved in the electoral process consolidate as large an audience as possible around themselves. Be vigilant! Tell your friends about our project. They deserve to know the truth and be free from russian propaganda.
Based on the materials of EuVDisinfo.eu