Poland Orders Closure of Russian Consulate in Gdańsk
Poland announced on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, its decision to withdraw consent for the operation of Russia's last remaining consulate in the country, located in Gdańsk. This move comes in direct response to accusations of Russian state terrorism following a recent railway sabotage incident. The closure will leave only the Russian embassy in Warsaw as Moscow's diplomatic presence in Poland.
Accusations of State Terrorism and Railway Sabotage
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski described the railway incident as an 'act of state terror,' emphasizing that its clear intention was to cause human casualties. Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, that two Ukrainian citizens, allegedly working for Russian intelligence services, were suspected of orchestrating the sabotage. These individuals reportedly entered Poland from Belarus and fled back across the border immediately after the attacks.
The sabotage involved two distinct incidents on a railway line linking Warsaw to Lublin, a critical route for transporting aid to Ukraine. One incident involved the detonation of a military-grade explosive device under a freight train near the village of Mika, which damaged the tracks. In another instance, a steel clamp was attached to the rails, an act intended to derail a train.
International Reactions and Diplomatic Fallout
Minister Sikorski stated that Poland had repeatedly warned Russia that its diplomatic and consular presence would be reduced if hostile actions against Poland continued. He clarified that while significant, the consulate closure is not Poland's 'full response' and that Poland does not plan to sever diplomatic relations with Russia.
In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the allegations as 'Russophobia' and stated that relations with Poland had 'completely deteriorated.' Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that Moscow would 'reduce Poland's diplomatic and consular presence' in Russia as a reciprocal measure.
Broader Context and Security Measures
Tensions between Poland and Russia have significantly escalated since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Poland emerging as a staunch supporter of Kyiv. This latest incident follows previous closures of Russian consulates in Kraków and Poznań, which Poland also linked to alleged Russian-orchestrated sabotage.
In light of the heightened threat, Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced plans to deploy 10,000 soldiers under 'Operation Horizon' to protect critical infrastructure across the country.
5 Comments
Raphael
Protecting critical infrastructure from saboteurs is paramount. Strong leadership!
Leonardo
More Russophobia from Poland. They're just looking for excuses.
Donatello
The allegations against Russia are grave and demand a firm response from Poland, especially after previous incidents of alleged sabotage. However, completely shutting down consular services impacts ordinary citizens on both sides who rely on these offices for vital services like visas and assistance.
Raphael
It's understandable that Poland is taking strong action against what they term state terror, especially given the critical aid route to Ukraine. Yet, this escalation will undoubtedly lead to reciprocal actions, potentially harming Polish interests abroad.
Leonardo
The railway sabotage is a serious concern for Polish security, highlighting Russia's aggressive tactics against its neighbors. However, further reducing diplomatic presence could make it harder to gather intelligence or resolve future crises effectively.