Poland Blames Russian Intelligence for Devastating Warsaw Shopping Center Arson

Report by Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

Polish authorities have concluded that a massive fire which destroyed the Marywilska 44 shopping center in Warsaw last year was an act of arson orchestrated by Russian intelligence operatives.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed on Sunday that investigators have established “with certainty” that the massive fire on May 12, 2024, was a deliberate act of sabotage directed by Russian operatives.“We now know for certain that the fire at Marywilska was the result of arson ordered by Russian agents,” he stated in a post on social media platform X. “Some suspects are already in custody. Others have been identified and will be brought to justice.”

Key Findings from the Investigation:

• The fire occurred on May 12, 2024, gutting the Marywilska 44 shopping complex, which housed approximately 1,400 retail outlets and service businesses.
• Many shop owners were members of Warsaw’s Vietnamese community, which suffered significant economic losses.
• The operation was allegedly coordinated by individuals based in Russia, with assistance from collaborators in Lithuania.
• The year-long probe involved 121 days of forensic work, interviews with over 500 victims, and testimonies from 70 witnesses.
• The investigation engaged 55 prosecutors and 100 police officers, supported by the Internal Security Agency.

Justice Minister Adam Bodnar and Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak confirmed that the incident was part of a broader campaign of hybrid warfare and sabotage allegedly directed by Russian intelligence to destabilize Poland and other parts of Europe.

“Those responsible for these attacks will face full accountability under Polish law,” the ministers said in a joint statement. They emphasized Poland’s commitment to defending its national security against foreign threats.