Poland will shut down Russia’s last remaining consulate in the country following accusations that Moscow orchestrated recent sabotage attempts targeting Poland’s rail network. Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced the withdrawal of permission for the Russian consulate in Gdansk, citing two serious incidents that occurred over the past week.
The first involved a steel clamp placed on railway tracks in what officials said appeared to be an attempt to derail a train. The second incident saw a military-grade explosive detonated as a freight train passed. Although no injuries were reported, Polish leaders described the acts as a major threat to national security.
With the closure of the Gdansk consulate, only Russia’s embassy in Warsaw will remain operational as Poland continues reducing diplomatic ties amid tensions heightened by the war in Ukraine. Moscow criticized the decision, calling it evidence of worsening relations and vowing to reduce Poland’s diplomatic presence in Russia in retaliation.
Polish authorities said two Ukrainian nationals cooperating with Russian security services have been identified as suspects and are believed to have fled to Belarus. Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the sabotage attempts as one of the most serious security challenges Poland has faced since the start of the war in Ukraine.