Poland accuses Russia of arson over 2024 shopping centre fire

Poland has charged Russian intelligence agencies with orchestrating a devastating blaze that almost entirely obliterated a shopping mall in the capital, Warsaw, last year. In a message on X, Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Poland is “certain” the fire at the Marywilska shopping centre was instigated by arson directed by the Russian intelligence.

Tusk noted that some individuals responsible are already in custody, while all others suspected of involvement have been identified and are currently being sought.

Moscow has not addressed the accusations, but has previously rejected claims of sabotage in Europe. The blaze in May 2024 razed 1,400 small enterprises, with numerous employees being part of Warsaw’s Vietnamese community. Poland conducted a year-long investigation into the event, which has now determined that the fire was orchestrated by an unidentified individual in Russia.

The two ministries stated that they were collaborating with Lithuania “where certain perpetrators also executed acts of diversion.” Following Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Poland has arrested and sentenced numerous individuals alleged to have engaged in sabotage for Russian intelligence agencies.

Polish authorities have stated that these assaults are part of a “hybrid war” conducted by Moscow.

Hybrid warfare occurs when an adversarial nation conducts an anonymous and deniable assault, typically under highly questionable conditions. It will suffice to damage their adversary, particularly their infrastructure, while avoiding an act that can be clearly identified as a declaration of war.

Nato also contends that Russia is engaging in “hybrid warfare” in Europe, intending to punish or deter Western countries from maintaining their military assistance to Ukraine.