Poland Blames Russia for Arson Attack as Shopping Centre Suffers Devastating Fire

In a bold accusation, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has claimed that Russian intelligence services are behind the arson that nearly obliterated a major shopping centre in Warsaw, causing widespread devastation and loss to the local community.

Poland has leveled accusations against Russian intelligence services, claiming they orchestrated a devastating fire that razed the Marywilska shopping centre in Warsaw in May 2024. Prime Minister Donald Tusk took to X to assert that Poland is confident the inferno was not accidental but rather the result of arson directed by the Russian special services. "Some of those responsible are already in custody," Tusk stated, confirming that a thorough investigation identified several suspects still at large.

The fire inflicted severe damages, leading to the destruction of about 1,400 small businesses, with many affected employees hailing from the city’s Vietnamese community. Following a year-long inquiry, Poland's justice and interior ministries revealed that the fire was allegedly masterminded by an unnamed individual located in Russia. They further indicated cooperation with Lithuania, hinting that additional suspects may also be involved in diversionary acts.

The context of this event takes place against the backdrop of heightened tensions following Russia's extensive invasion of Ukraine in 2022, during which Poland has detained numerous individuals purportedly committing acts of sabotage as agents of Russian intelligence. Officials in Poland describe this series of attacks as part of a broader "hybrid war" strategy executed by Moscow—a type of warfare characterized by unpredictable and deniable assaults on infrastructure, designed to undermine adversaries without declaring outright war.

Nato has echoed similar concerns, noting that Russia appears to be engaged in hybrid warfare across Europe aimed at discouraging Western nations from backing Ukraine militarily. Russia, for its part, consistently denies claims of sabotage activities throughout Europe, labeling them as unfounded.

In a parallel incident, Lithuanian prosecutors recently attributed an arson attack on an Ikea branch in Vilnius to Russian military intelligence, with Prime Minister Tusk acknowledging the similarities and confirming Lithuania's findings that the same entities are behind the shopping centre fires in both capitals.

The Marywilska shopping centre, a staple since its inauguration in 2010, was also the site of personal tragedies, as many workers lost vital documents and cash that they had stored there due to concerns over theft at home. Despite the destruction, a temporary shopping centre was opened three months later, allowing around 400 traders to return to business, while a new market venue, Modlinska 6D, began operations in October 2024 to accommodate displaced businesses.