Poland announced on Monday the closure of the Russian consulate in Krakow following allegations that Russian intelligence was responsible for a fire that devastated a major shopping center in Warsaw last year.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated on social media platform “X” that the decision was made “in light of evidence of despicable sabotage against the Mariwilska Shopping Center by Russian special services.”

The fire, which broke out in the Bialoleka district of Warsaw on May 12, 2024, caused extensive damage to nearly the entire shopping center, impacting over 1,400 stores and service facilities. The incident significantly affected the Vietnamese trading community in the capital.

On Sunday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the fire was determined to be the result of “deliberate arson” orchestrated by Russian intelligence operatives.

In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the closure of the consulate, calling it “an unjustifiable escalation” and warning of “appropriate retaliatory measures.”

Tensions between Poland and Russia have been escalating in recent months, with Warsaw accusing Moscow of espionage and sabotage, especially since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.