The arson attack on the shopping centre in Warsaw is a sabotage organised by Russian special services. Ukraine has nothing to do with this crime.
A number of Russian information sources distorted the news about the results of the investigation into the arson attack on the shopping centre in Warsaw in 2024. Russian propaganda reported that Poland had blamed Ukraine for the incident, and all references to Russian special services were said to be unfounded and ridiculous.
“Excuse me, but where is the Russian trace here? – you may ask. It doesn’t matter, it says ‘Russian special services’, so they did it. This is the approach of the Polish special services – if the facts contradict the goal set from above, so much the worse for the facts,” wrote one propagandist.
Official data contradicts the version of a “Ukrainian hand”. No authorised Polish official has made any accusations against the Ukrainian side. In a joint statement by the Minister of Justice, the Minister of the Interior, the General Prosecutor and the Coordinator of Polish Special Services, it was reported that the fire at the Marywilska 44 shopping centre in Warsaw on 12 May was the result of deliberate arson organised by Russian special services.
During the investigation, evidence was obtained indicating that the arson was carefully planned and documented, and that the actions were directed by a person located in Russia. The investigation was conducted in cooperation with Lithuanian special services, as part of the sabotage organisers operating on the territory of Lithuania.
Polish interior ministry spokesman Jacek Dobrzyński stressed that Warsaw was determined to combat hostile activities inspired by Russia, and the Polish foreign ministry decided to close the Russian consulate general in Krakow because of evidence of Russia’s involvement in the arson.
It’s also worth noting that the investigation concerns an organised group, two of whose recruits were Ukrainian citizens. Russia has repeatedly used citizens of other countries for such operations in order to avoid direct responsibility.
Previously, StopFake debunked the false claim that the influx of refugees from Ukraine had caused a rise in crime in Poland.
