"Russian consulate in Poland to close due to Russia's involvement in Warsaw fire" - Foreign Minister

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced the closure of the Russian Consulate in Krakow, Onet reported.

The Foreign Minister linked this decision to information provided by the Polish authorities, according to which Russian intelligence services were allegedly involved in organizing the fire that occurred in the Mariwilska 44 shopping center in Warsaw on May 12, 2024.

“In connection with the evidence of the heinous sabotage carried out by Russian special services against the shopping center on Mariwilska Street, I have decided to revoke my consent to the activities of the Consulate of the Russian Federation in Krakow,” Sikorski wrote in X.

A major fire broke out in the Mariwilska 44 shopping center in Warsaw on May 12, 2024. The fire broke out in several places at once and spread quickly. No one was injured in the fire, but authorities said 1,400 shops and service businesses were destroyed.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Poland of deliberately continuing the breakdown of bilateral relations and announced an "adequate response."