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Poland Shuts Last Russian Consulate, Blames Moscow for Railway Sabotage

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Poland announced on Wednesday that it will close Russia’s last remaining consulate on its territory, escalating its response to a railway explosion that Warsaw has blamed on Moscow. The blast, which occurred over the weekend on the Warsaw-Lublin line leading to the Ukrainian border, was allegedly carried out by two Ukrainians working with Russian intelligence. Polish authorities say the suspects fled to Belarus, a close ally of Russia.

Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said the closure of the Russian consulate in Gdansk is the first step, following earlier closures of Russian consulates in Krakow and Poznan in response to similar sabotage concerns. Calling the railway incident “an act of state terrorism,” Sikorski added that Poland would also pursue non-diplomatic measures. Moscow, which denies any involvement, accused Poland of “Russophobia” and indicated it would restrict Poland’s diplomatic presence in Russia.

Warsaw is now urging its EU partners to curb the movement of Russian diplomats within the Schengen zone, warning that further actions may follow. Poland and other EU states have repeatedly accused Russia and Belarus of destabilizing the region, including by fueling migration at the borders. Polish intelligence officials say several additional people have been detained in connection with the blast, amid a wider surge in sabotage, arson and cyberattacks across Europe since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

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Poland Scrambles Jets After Russian Strikes Near Border With Ukraine

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Poland activated its air defence and scrambled fighter jets early Wednesday after Russia launched a wave of airstrikes on western Ukraine, close to the Polish border. The Polish Armed Forces said quick-reaction fighter jets and an early-warning aircraft were deployed to secure national airspace.

In a statement on X, Poland’s operational command confirmed that ground-based air defence units and radar systems were raised to their highest state of readiness amid heightened tensions along NATO’s eastern flank.

The response followed widespread air raid alerts across Ukraine around 0400 GMT, as the Ukrainian Air Force warned of incoming Russian missile and drone attacks.

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Poland Confirms Railway Explosion as Sabotage on Key Warsaw–Lublin Route

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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Monday that the explosion that destroyed part of the Warsaw–Lublin railway line was the result of sabotage. Writing on X, Tusk confirmed that an explosive device caused the damage reported on Sunday, prompting emergency services and prosecutors to launch a full investigation. Additional damage was also found further along the same route, intensifying concerns about deliberate interference.

Local police had been alerted earlier when a train driver noticed structural damage on the track, leading to an immediate response and suspension of travel through the area. The incident highlights mounting security pressures in Poland, particularly as the country continues to serve as a major logistics hub for international aid flowing into Ukraine amid its war with Russia.

Warsaw has previously warned that its strategic role could make it vulnerable to hostile activities, though Moscow has consistently denied any involvement in sabotage efforts. The investigation into the railway explosion is ongoing.

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German Auction of Nazi Camp Artefacts Cancelled After Global Outcry

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A controversial auction in Germany featuring more than 600 artefacts from Nazi concentration camps has been cancelled following intense backlash from Holocaust survivors, politicians and the public. Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radoslaw Sikorski confirmed the decision on Sunday, thanking his German counterpart Johann Wadephul for stepping in and insisting that “such a scandal must be prevented”. Items reportedly included a prisoner’s letter from Auschwitz and documents related to forced sterilisation at Dachau.

The planned sale by auction house Auktionshaus Felzmann had prompted strong condemnation, with critics arguing that these items were not suitable for private collections and should instead be preserved in museums or memorial institutions. Christoph Heubner of the International Auschwitz Committee said the sale was “cynical and shameless”, deeply hurting survivors and families of victims. Germany’s State Minister for Culture echoed the concerns, stating that such documents must remain out of private hands.

Poland’s culture ministry has now launched a probe into how these artefacts surfaced and whether any should be repatriated. Many of the items were believed to originate from Auschwitz and Buchenwald, two of the most infamous Nazi concentration camps where millions of Jews, Poles, Roma and Soviet prisoners lost their lives. Advocates insist that the objects belong to victims’ families or public remembrance spaces, not commercial auctions.

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Poland considers downing Russian missiles over Ukraine

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Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has revealed that Warsaw is actively considering a proposal from Kyiv to intercept Russian missiles over Ukrainian airspace before they reach Polish territory. This initiative emerged from a joint defense agreement signed during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent visit to Warsaw. The aim is to address concerns about Russian missiles inadvertently breaching Polish airspace while targeting Ukrainian locations near the Polish border.

Sikorski emphasized that the proposal is currently in the exploration phase. It seeks to mitigate risks posed by missile debris falling into Polish territory, which could endanger citizens and property. The Foreign Minister noted the brief window of time Poland has to react when missiles traverse western Ukraine towards its borders. He stressed the need for consultation with NATO allies, particularly highlighting the importance of U.S. support in any decision to implement such intercepts.

Defense analysts have cautioned that without strong allied backing, the proposal could expose Poland to potential Russian retaliation. The effectiveness and safety of such intercept operations remain critical considerations amidst ongoing tensions and military maneuvers in the region.

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Before the EU election, Poland’s PM issued a dire warning: “Vote or face war.”

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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urges voters to avoid war by voting in the European elections. Emphasizing security and the threat of Russian aggression, Tusk’s Civic Coalition stresses the importance of a united EU stance against Moscow, particularly with pro-Russian parties gaining traction in central Europe.

Poles, historically and geographically wary of Russia, are being urged to vote to protect themselves. Northern Poland shares a heavily monitored 230km (142 miles) border with Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Poland has tightened security and plans to further reinforce the border with a 10-billion-zloty (£1.992bn) “Shield East” project, coordinated with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

While Tusk’s opponents, the Law and Justice party (PiS), focus on issues like the EU’s migration deal and the Green Deal, they also recognize the Russian threat, having invested heavily in defense during their governance. This election sees PiS candidate Karol Karski drawing attention with a campaign video of him symbolically stopping a Russian tank.

In schools, Polish children are learning survival skills, reflecting the national concern over the Russian threat. Captain Dominik Pijarski of the 6th Mazovian Brigade confirms that Poland is preparing for a real threat from Russia, with the entire nation learning lessons from the Ukraine invasion.

However, not all Poles unconditionally support Ukraine. In rural areas, farmers protest against the EU Green Deal and competition from Ukrainian farmers who benefit from tariff-free exports and can use banned chemicals, leading to higher productivity. These farmers support Ukraine militarily but feel the economic impact is unfair.

The European election has not generated much excitement, with traditionally lower turnout compared to national votes. However, Tusk’s final rally in Warsaw will likely focus on security, reiterating the ongoing risk of living next to Russia and the need for European vigilance.

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Polish security finds cabinet meeting room bugged

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Special services in Poland uncovered and removed listening devices in a room where cabinet ministers were scheduled to convene. The regular cabinet meeting, typically held in Warsaw, was relocated to Katowice due to the attendance of several ministers, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk, at an economic conference there.

The increased spying activity in Poland is attributed to its role as a hub for military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022. The State Protection Service, in collaboration with the Internal Security Agency, detected and dismantled the eavesdropping devices during a routine security sweep of the room. The Internal Security Agency is currently investigating the matter further.

Despite the discovery, the cabinet meeting proceeded as planned in the building. A spokesperson for the Silesia regional authorities suggested that the device may have been part of the room’s old communication system.

In a separate development, a Polish judge sought asylum in Belarus, citing concerns over Poland’s policies towards Belarus and Russia. The judge’s actions have raised suspicions of espionage, particularly as he was due to preside over cases involving security clearance for NATO-related information.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski condemned the judge’s actions, referring to him as a traitor. Prime Minister Tusk has called for a meeting of the Secret Services College to discuss potential Russian and Belarusian influence in Polish politics. He emphasized concerns about the judge’s long-standing relationship with Belarusian authorities and its implications for national security.

This incident comes after the previous year’s arrest of several members of an alleged Russian spy network in Poland, accused of planning sabotage near the Ukrainian border.

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Skeletons without hands and feet found at Hermann Göring’s house

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Archaeologists recently made a significant discovery at the Wolf’s Lair, a former Nazi military base located in Gierloz, northeastern Poland. During a dig prompted by the unearthing of a fragment of human skull on February 24, they uncovered five human skeletons missing hands and feet.

The Latebra Foundation, a historical organization based in Gdansk, confirmed that the remains belonged to three adults, a teenager, and a newborn. These bodies were found near a house once occupied by Nazi commander Hermann Göring, a prominent figure in World War II history.

The skeletons were arranged in close proximity to each other, facing the same direction, amidst remnants of burned boards and sewage infrastructure. Despite the absence of clothing, authorities found no evident signs of trauma on the remains.

Initially mistaking the site for an old bathroom, the excavation team was surprised when they discovered ashes and a burnt key. Polish police have since launched an investigation into the discovery, with many questions still unanswered.

Further investigation, including carbon dating to determine the age of the remains, is deemed necessary by experts. The Wolf’s Lair, Hitler’s Eastern Front headquarters, holds immense historical significance, having been strategically situated in the forests of northeastern Poland.

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Man arrested in Poland over alleged Russia plot to kill Zelensky

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A Polish man has been detained and accused of collaborating with Russian intelligence to potentially target Volodymyr Zelensky, according to authorities. The individual, identified as Pawel K, allegedly aimed to gather intelligence on an airport in Poland frequently used by the Ukrainian president. The arrest was prompted by Ukrainian intelligence information, though it’s unclear if any information was actually transmitted. If convicted, Pawel K could face a sentence of up to eight years. He remains in custody while investigations continue.

Polish prosecutors stated that Pawel K had offered his services to Russian military intelligence and had direct contact with individuals involved in the conflict in Ukraine. His assignment reportedly involved gathering details about security measures at Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in southeastern Poland.

Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport, previously a small regional facility, has become crucial for supplying Western military aid to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion. It serves as a significant transit point for military and cargo aircraft from the US and Europe, facilitating the delivery of supplies to Ukraine via trucks.

The airport is frequently used by leaders traveling to and from Ukraine, including President Zelensky, who has utilized it for foreign trips. Notably, other dignitaries like US President Joe Biden have also transited through this airport on their visits to Ukraine.

This incident follows previous arrests related to espionage suspicions, including the apprehension of foreign nationals accused of spying for Russia. They were reportedly involved in installing surveillance cameras, some of which were positioned around Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport.

Additionally, neighboring Germany recently detained two alleged Russian spies suspected of planning to disrupt German military aid intended for Ukraine.

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Polish MPs debate liberalising right to abortion on demand

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Poland’s MPs recently engaged in a significant debate over potentially granting women the right to abortion on demand, marking a departure from discussions of the sort in over three decades. Despite expectations of strong emotions given Poland’s devout Catholicism, the attendance was notably sparse, with many MPs from both the opposition and government failing to show up.

Although women constitute only 29% of the Sejm, the lower house of parliament, the majority of speakers in the debate were women. The discussion revolved around potentially liberalizing one of the EU’s strictest abortion laws, which currently permits the procedure only in cases of maternal health risk, rape, or incest.

While public opinion increasingly supports expanded abortion access, politicians have been hesitant to act. The previous Law and Justice-led government, supported by the Catholic Church, had actually tightened abortion restrictions in 2020, sparking widespread protests across the nation.

The ruling by the Constitutional Tribunal, which deemed abortion due to severe and irreversible fetal abnormalities unconstitutional, led to outrage and sustained demonstrations. Several women have died in hospitals since then, as doctors refused to perform necessary abortions, even when the mother’s life was at risk.

Outside the parliament, anti-abortion protesters expressed their views in stark terms, likening liberal ministers to Adolf Hitler and employing provocative imagery. Inside, MPs presented contrasting viewpoints, with some arguing for abortion as a woman’s right, while others contended that it’s not universally supported among Polish women.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk has committed to introducing abortion on demand, but his coalition government is divided over the extent of liberalization. Various proposals, ranging from abortion up to 12 weeks to decriminalization of abortion assistance, have been put forward by different factions within the coalition.

However, achieving consensus on this contentious issue won’t be easy, with opposition from conservative elements and the potential for a presidential veto by Andrzej Duda, who aligns with Catholic beliefs. Ultimately, the fate of these proposals remains uncertain pending further parliamentary deliberation and potential presidential intervention.

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