Poland has taken a decisive step in its diplomatic standoff with Moscow, announcing the closure of the last remaining Russian consulate on its soil. The move comes in direct response to a serious act of railway sabotage that authorities have linked to individuals working for Russian intelligence.
Diplomatic Fallout from an Act of Sabotage
On Wednesday, 19 November 2025, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski declared he would withdraw consent for the operation of the Russian consulate in Gdansk. This action was prompted by what Prime Minister Donald Tusk described as an "unprecedented act of sabotage" on a railway line connecting Warsaw to the Ukrainian border over the weekend.
Sikorski stated that he had repeatedly warned Russia that its diplomatic presence would be further reduced if hostile actions against Poland did not cease. The Polish news agency PAP reported his remarks, where he confirmed that Russia would be formally notified of the closure within hours. This decision will leave Russia with only its embassy in Warsaw functioning within Poland.
The Investigation and Suspects
Prime Minister Tusk provided chilling details to the Polish parliament on Monday, revealing that the investigation points to two Ukrainian citizens. He asserted that the suspects had been "collaborating with the Russian secret services for a long time."
While their identities are known to authorities, Tusk explained they could not be made public due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. He confirmed that the pair had already fled Poland and crossed into Belarus, evading immediate arrest.
A Wider Pattern of Hostile Activity
This incident is not isolated. Western officials have accused Russia and its proxies of staging dozens of attacks and other incidents across Europe since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began over three years ago, according to data compiled by The Associated Press.
The alleged goal of these operations, according to Western security sources, is to undermine European support for Ukraine, create societal fear, and drive wedges between allied nations. The closure of the Gdansk consulate marks a significant escalation in Poland's response to what it perceives as a sustained campaign of hostility from Moscow.
