In Warsaw, Ukrainian citizens have been charged with setting fire to a shopping center: the investigation is progressing
Polish law enforcement has taken significant steps in the case of the large-scale fire that occurred at a shopping mall in Warsaw on May 12, 2024. As part of the investigation, charges have been filed against two Ukrainians who allegedly participated in the arson and, according to investigators, played a role in a criminal scheme aimed at intimidating the population and destabilizing the country. According to information released by EuroTrue, citing the RMF FM radio station, Ukrainian citizens closely cooperated with individuals responsible for the fire. The Polish prosecutor’s office is leading the investigation and emphasized that one of the suspects, a young man named Danylo B., is already in custody in Lithuania. According to investigators, he was tasked with filming the fire and the firefighting process at the shopping center, then transmitting the footage to Russia, where it was shared on social media to spread panic and discredit Polish law enforcement agencies. The second suspect, Oleksandr V., is reportedly the organizer and the person who commissioned the filming. Both men, according to the prosecutor’s office, belong to an organized group planning to set fire to large establishments across the European Union to heighten fear and insecurity among the public. Oleksandr V. is now in Russia, and law enforcement authorities have not yet been able to formally charge him on the spot; documents for his arrest and an application for a European arrest warrant are currently being prepared. Regarding the suspects: Danylo B. has been under political scrutiny for years as an individual possibly acting under the influence of foreign intelligence services, specifically Russian intelligence. He is accused of engaging in activities directed against the Polish state and attempting to destabilize the situation within the country through terrorist acts and sabotage. Oleksandr V., due to the risk of evading investigation, has been placed on a wanted list, awaiting extradition and appropriate legal procedures. The large incident has been the biggest among a series of fires that swept across Poland. Initial reports indicated that the fire started suddenly and spread rapidly in the Warsaw shopping center. At first, national authorities and investigative experts stated that there were no signs of sabotage; however, by the end of the month, suspicions arose about possible political and external motives behind the event. Notably, the prominent Polish politician Donald Tusk later issued an official statement suggesting that the investigation points toward possible involvement of Russian intelligence agencies in the arson. This prompted active diplomatic moves. Specifically, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski initiated the withdrawal of diplomatic efforts and announced plans to revoke the Russian consulate’s operating permit in Kraków. This move became a symbol of increasing tensions in Polish-Russian relations, which were already strained due to various other political and security challenges. Following these developments, Polish authorities believe that the widespread fire at Warsaw was not merely the work of vandals or accidental fires, but a coordinated campaign by Russian intelligence services intended to escalate tensions and undermine Polish state institutions. Currently, investigative measures are ongoing, led by law enforcement agencies — they are working to establish all the details of the case, emphasizing that human lives, citizen safety, and national stability are at stake, all of which could be seriously undermined by insufficient awareness or procedural lapses during the investigation. At the same time, political statements are being made stressing the importance of combating possible external influences and preventing similar acts in the future. Overall, this case confirms a trend toward intensifying efforts not only against internal threats but also external ones to Poland’s security. Responsible agencies are implementing measures to ensure maximum transparency and openness in the investigation, as well as to prevent new provocations that could increase regional tensions and erode public trust in state institutions.