Poland accuses Russian intelligence of ordering Warsaw market fire in 2024

One year ago, on May 12, 2024, a massive fire ravaged a large market hall in Warsaw, housing some 1,400 small businesses and service outlets, mainly owned by members of the Vietnamese community. After a major investigation, Polish authorities accused Russia on Sunday, May 11, of having ordered the fire at the Marywilska 44 shopping center.

"We now know, based on the evidence gathered, that the fire was the result of arson ordered by Russian special services," the Polish justice and interior ministries, which are responsible for the special services, said in a joint statement published on X.

Immediately after the incident, Polish authorities launched an investigation that required 121 days of on-site inspections and the work of 55 prosecutors and 100 police officers. More than 70 witnesses and over 500 victims were interviewed.

Warsaw stated in its statement that it had "in-depth knowledge of the order and course of the fire and how it was documented by the perpetrators."

"Their actions were organized and directed by an identified person residing in the Russian Federation," the text further states. According to the statement, "some of the perpetrators are already in custody, the others are identified and wanted."

"We are determined to hold those responsible for these shameful acts of sabotage accountable," the ministries said. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the reports on the social network X, saying: "We will get you all!"

The Polish services also specified that they were cooperating "with Lithuania, where some of the perpetrators also carried out diversionary activities."

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Poland, a staunch ally of Kyiv, has claimed to be the target of attempted sabotage, allegedly orchestrated by Russia. Warsaw has arrested and sentenced several people suspected of sabotage on behalf of Russian intelligence services, accused of beatings, arson, or attempted arson.

In May 2024, Poland decided to impose restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats on its soil due to Moscow's "involvement" in "hybrid warfare." And five months later, Warsaw ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Poznan, in the west of the country, accusing Moscow of organizing "sabotage attempts."