Russians staged provocations against Poles near the Smolensk plane crash memorial
In Smolensk, Russia, provocations were staged against Poles who had come to commemorate the victims of the Smolensk plane crash on the 16th anniversary of the tragedy.
This was reported by RMF24.
Poland’s ambassador to Russia, Krzysztof Krajewski, spoke about the incident.
According to him, upon the Polish delegation’s arrival at the memorial, they were met by groups of people behaving provocatively.
“These were hostile groups who were trying in vain to provoke someone and were using propaganda slogans regarding our aid to Ukraine,” the diplomat noted, adding that it did not appear to be a spontaneous action.
Among other things, the demonstrators held posters accusing Poland of allegedly providing its airspace for Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian territory—a narrative that Russian propaganda has been spreading following the intensification of strikes on ports near St. Petersburg.
According to the ambassador, the participants in the protest were mostly young people wearing balaclavas. The Polish delegation that came to the memorial ignored the provocations.
Ukrainians currently in Poland may lose their right to reside and work if they do not update their information.
Starting in 2026, a new EU control system will be in effect for Ukrainians entering Poland.
