Russian consulate in Krakow to cease operations within month

Poland has ordered the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Krakow within the next 30 days, citing the involvement of Russian security services in a recent arson attack in Warsaw, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Henryka Mościcka-Dendys said. 

Speaking at a press briefing aired by TVP Info, Mościcka-Dendys stated that the Russian diplomatic mission would be given a minimum of 30 days to cease operations, similar to previous actions taken against the consulate in Poznań. However, she did not specify an exact closure date, Caliber.Az reports. 

“This decision concerns only diplomats. It does not affect auxiliary or administrative employees,” she said. 

According to the ministry, three diplomats and four administrative and technical staff members are currently accredited at the consulate in Krakow.

The move follows allegations that Russian intelligence services were involved in the May 2023 arson attack at a shopping centre on Marywilska Street in Warsaw. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced the consulate's closure earlier on May 12, calling the measure a response to “the proven participation of Russian security services” in the incident.

“The Russian consulate [in Krakow] will have to close. They have another one. If these attacks continue, we will take further action,” Sikorski said at a press conference in London on the sidelines of a meeting of the heads of diplomacy of some European countries, broadcast by TVP Info TV channel.

In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticised the decision and warned that Moscow would respond “adequately to Warsaw’s inadequate steps.”

By Sabina Mammadli