Poland Restricts Movement of Russian Diplomats Within the Country

The Polish government has decided to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats within the country. This was announced by Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski at a briefing in Brussels following a meeting of the European Union's foreign ministers, TVN24 reports.

According to the Polish official, this decision is a response to Russia's conduct of hybrid warfare against EU countries in general, and Poland in particular. Sikorski emphasized that the Russian Embassy will soon receive a corresponding note on this matter.

"I have just announced Poland's decision in connection with the Russian state's involvement in hybrid warfare against the European Union and Poland. These restrictions will apply to both the embassy and the consular staff of the Russian Federation in Poland," said Sikorski.

Thus, Russian diplomats will only be able to move within the Masovian Voivodeship, where the country's capital, Warsaw, is located. Consuls will be restricted to the voivodeships where their consulates are situated. The only exception will be for the ambassador, who will still be able to move freely throughout the country.

Radosław Sikorski expressed hope that other EU countries would follow Poland's example, as they also suffer from Russia's hybrid operations.

"I believe this is a campaign conducted throughout the EU. We have arrested a person who nearly carried out sabotage, and we have additional suspects," the minister said, responding to questions about the details of Russia's hybrid war against EU countries.

Earlier in May, The Gaze reported that police in the Bavarian town of Bayreuth arrested two men on suspicion of espionage and sabotage on behalf of Russia. The Federal Prosecutor's Office in Germany announced in Karlsruhe that the detainees are accused, among other things, of acting as agents for sabotage and preparing explosives.

The arrests of the men, identified as Dieter S. and Alexander J., were carried out based on arrest warrants issued by an investigating judge of the Federal Court on April 9 and 11, 2024. Additionally, searches were conducted at the homes and workplaces of the accused with the support of the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office.