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Russia vacates Kraków consulate amid arson dispute

27.06.2025 14:41
The closure follows claims that Russian operatives helped orchestrate an arson attack in Warsaw, prompting Poland to shut the mission early.
Russian diplomats played their national anthem before lowering the flag and removing the state emblem from the entrance of the townhouse on Biskupia Street in Kraków, southern Poland. The property has now been reclaimed by its owner, Polands state railway company PKP.
Russian diplomats played their national anthem before lowering the flag and removing the state emblem from the entrance of the townhouse on Biskupia Street in Kraków, southern Poland. The property has now been reclaimed by its owner, Poland's state railway company PKP.Photo: Monochromatyczna/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0

At midday on Friday, Russian diplomats in Kraków marked their departure by playing the national anthem before lowering the flag and removing the state emblem from the townhouse on Biskupia Street.

The handover came days ahead of the lease expiry, after Russian officials and Poland’s state railway company PKP, which owns the building, agreed to an early transfer.

Warsaw ordered the closure in response to evidence that Russian intelligence services were involved in the arson attack on a Warsaw market hall.

According to Polish Radio, the consulate had already stopped accepting documents earlier this month, and one Russian diplomat will now leave Poland.

(mp)

Source: PR24/IAR