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Poland Seeks Extradition Over Rail Sabotage and Orders Closure of Russia’s Last Consulate

Warsaw labels the rail attacks state terrorism attributed to Russian intelligence.

Overview

  • Prosecutors charged two Ukrainian citizens, Oleksandr K. and Yevhenii I., in absentia with terrorist‑type sabotage carried out on Nov. 15–16 in the interests of Russian intelligence.
  • Poland says the suspects fled to Belarus and has formally requested their extradition in a diplomatic note delivered to Minsk.
  • Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski ordered Russia’s consulate in Gdańsk to close by Dec. 23, while Moscow denied involvement and vowed reciprocal reductions of Poland’s presence in Russia.
  • Authorities deployed thousands of soldiers to guard critical infrastructure and raised rail security nationwide, with key lines at the second‑highest alert level.
  • Officials reported additional detentions linked to the case and urged EU partners to restrict Russian diplomats’ movement as Brussels considers a coordinated response to hybrid threats.