Asger Risom
Prime Minister Tusk: Russian Intelligence Behind 2024 Shopping Center Blaze
Poland has formally accused Russian intelligence of orchestrating a massive fire that nearly destroyed a shopping center in Warsaw in May 2024.
The announcement came Sunday from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk following the completion of a year-long investigation, according to Digi24.
“A Coordinated Act of Arson”
“We now know for certain that the large fire at Marywilska was the result of an act of arson ordered by Russian services,” Tusk posted on X. “The operation was coordinated by a person inside Russia. Some perpetrators are already under arrest, others have been identified and are being pursued. We will catch you all.”
We now know for sure that the great fire of the Marywilska shopping centre in Warsaw was caused by arson ordered by the Russian special services. Some of the perpetrators have already been detained, all the others are identified and searched for. We will get you all!
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) May 11, 2025
The May 2024 fire, which reduced much of the Marywilska shopping center to rubble, had long raised suspicions of foul play. Sunday’s confirmation from Polish authorities signals a direct accusation against Moscow’s covert operations.
Hybrid Warfare and Escalating Tensions
Poland has consistently reported being a target of what officials describe as Russia’s “hybrid warfare.”
These tactics, according to Warsaw, aim to destabilize countries supporting Ukraine and have included cyberattacks, sabotage, and now arson.
The accusation is expected to heighten already strained relations between the two nations, especially amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Poland remains one of Kyiv’s most vocal and active supporters within Europe.
Officials have pledged to continue pursuing those responsible. No formal response from Moscow had been issued at the time of reporting.