Poland denies forceful eviction of Russians from closed consulate

Russians refusing to leave the former consulate in Gdańsk will be treated by the Polish government as squatters, and authorities will begin a gradual legal process to compel them to vacate the property, without resorting to forced eviction, according to the Polish Foreign Ministry.

Following the closure of the Russian consulate in Gdańsk, Russian staff have refused to vacate the building, Caliber.Az reports, citing RMF24.

The embassy informed the Gdańsk city authorities that an “administrative-technical employee” will remain on the premises.

Polish authorities said they will not use force, cut electricity or water, or apply other coercive measures. 

Control of the building is expected to be restored through a lengthy legal process: the State Treasury will file a lawsuit, and the property will be transferred to Poland following a court ruling. The city estimates the process could take several years.

Russia maintains it has the right to use the consulate building, although Polish documents do not support this claim. Gdańsk has calculated the consulate’s debt for 2013–2023 at 5.5 million zlotys ($1.53 million), plus 3 million zlotys in interest ($0.84 million). A court has already ordered Russia to pay nearly 400,000 zlotys ($111,000) for part of the debt.

Russia maintains it has the right to use the consulate building, although Polish documents do not support this claim. Gdańsk has calculated the consulate’s debt for 2013–2023 at 5.5 million zlotys ($1.53 million), plus 3 million zlotys in interest ($0.84 million). A court has already ordered Russia to pay nearly 400,000 zlotys ($111,000) for part of the debt.

On 19 November, Poland’s government ordered the closure of Russia’s Gdańsk consulate after accusing Russian intelligence of orchestrating sabotage attacks on Polish railway infrastructure, describing the incidents as an “unprecedented act of state terrorism.”

Poland’s foreign minister said the decision was part of a broader reduction of Russian diplomatic presence due to repeated hostile actions, following earlier closures of Russian consulates in Poznań and Kraków over alleged sabotage and hybrid operations.

Moscow condemned the move as hostile and “deterioration” of bilateral ties, and responded with reciprocal cuts to Poland’s diplomatic posts in Russia. 

By Jeyhun Aghazada