WARSAW, Poland — Polish authorities have formally accused Russian intelligence services of orchestrating a devastating arson attack that gutted the Marywilska 44 shopping center in Warsaw last year, labeling the incident a deliberate act of sabotage amid growing regional tensions.
Speaking on the eve of the first anniversary of the May 12, 2024, fire, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the massive blaze was not an accident but a coordinated attack commissioned by Russian operatives. The fire consumed the sprawling commercial complex, which housed around 1,400 shops and service points, and heavily impacted Warsaw’s Vietnamese community, which made up a significant portion of the vendors.
“We now know for certain that the massive fire on Marywilska was the result of arson commissioned by Russian services,” Tusk posted on X. “The actions were coordinated by a person residing in Russia. Some of the perpetrators are already in custody, while the rest have been identified and are being sought. We will catch them all!”
Justice Minister Adam Bodnar and Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak confirmed the assessment in a joint statement, revealing that the year-long investigation uncovered direct links between the fire and a wider sabotage operation directed by Moscow. Polish intelligence and security forces, including the Internal Security Agency, worked alongside police and prosecutors in the investigation, which spanned over 121 days of forensic site inspections and involved more than 100 officers and 55 prosecutors.
Authorities interviewed over 70 witnesses and more than 500 victims during the inquiry, which also extended beyond Poland’s borders. Polish officials said they are cooperating with Lithuanian authorities, where some suspects were allegedly involved in related acts of sabotage.
“The fire was not a random event,” Bodnar and Siemoniak said. “It was part of a coordinated campaign of sabotage initiated and directed by Russian intelligence. We are determined to hold accountable those responsible for these disgraceful acts.”
The public disclosure comes as Europe faces escalating fears of Russian hybrid warfare, including cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and now, physical acts of sabotage. Officials across NATO and the European Union have grown increasingly alarmed over Russia’s covert operations targeting critical infrastructure and civil society across the continent.
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied involvement in such actions, including allegations of arson, sabotage, and political interference throughout Europe. However, the Polish government insists the evidence in the Marywilska case is irrefutable and signals a broader Russian effort to destabilize the region through asymmetric means.
Poland, a frontline NATO member and one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters, has been on high alert for Russian interference since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The arson attack, now linked to Russian operatives, marks one of the most direct and damaging acts of sabotage on Polish soil in recent memory.
