A massive fire that destroyed a large shopping center in Warsaw last year was the result of arson ordered by Russian intelligence services, Polish officials said Sunday on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the blaze.

Poland’s government has summoned the Russian ambassador and vowed to shut down the country’s consulate in the city of Krakow after concluding Russian sabotage caused a huge fire in a shopping centre. Russia has denied any involvement in the fire, which almost completely destroyed a shopping complex in the Polish capital of Warsaw in 2024.

By directing the closure of the Russian consulate in Krakow, Poland has demonstrated its resolve. This decision came after Polish officials said they have clear proof linking Russian intelligence to a massive fire at a shopping center in Warsaw in 2024.