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Poland Blames Russian Intelligence for 2024 Warsaw Shopping Center Arson

Polish authorities announce arrests and identify suspects in a Russian-coordinated sabotage campaign targeting Ukraine allies.

FILE - A fire burns from a vast shopping complex in Warsaw, Poland, May 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Norbert Ofmanski, File)

Overview

  • Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the May 2024 fire at Warsaw's Marywilska 44 shopping center was an arson ordered by Russian intelligence.
  • The fire destroyed 1,400 shops, severely impacting Warsaw's Vietnamese community and local economy.
  • Some suspects have been arrested, while others have been identified and are being pursued in collaboration with Lithuania.
  • The attack is part of a broader Russian hybrid warfare strategy, including sabotage and cyberattacks, aimed at destabilizing Ukraine-supporting nations.
  • The year-long investigation involved extensive site inspections, hundreds of interviews, and cross-border cooperation, highlighting Poland's commitment to accountability.