Poland Warns Russia Could Attack NATO Within 3 Years

Daily Mail: NATO has three years to prepare for Russian attack: Stark warning from Poland as multiple reports say another Putin offensive is likely despite Ukraine stalemate 

* Recent German report said Russian attack on NATO was likely in six to ten years 

* However, a Polish official has now said that is an optimistic time frame 

NATO has just three years to prepare for a Russian attack, the chief of Polish national security has warned, amid growing concerns over the war in Ukraine. 

With Vladimir Putin's 21-month-long invasion dragging into another winter, Kyiv has suffered a series of setbacks that suggest the war is becoming 'frozen'. 

The United States and the EU are struggling to secure further packages of military aid to Ukraine, which in-turn has struggled to make major advances in its 2023 counteroffensive that many hoped would deal more blows to Moscow's armies. 

Read more .... 

Poland Warns Russia Could Attack NATO Within 3 Years  

Poland warns Nato has three years to prepare for attack by Russia -- The Independent  

Poland issues shocking warning of upcoming Russian attack on NATO countries -- Express  

Polish official: Russia could attack NATO within 3 years -- Kyiv Independent  

These NATO countries have just three years to prepare for a Russian attack, Poland warns -- NYPost

Putin Warns Poland That Any Aggression Against Belarus Will Be Seen As An Attack On Russia

 

The Guardian: Putin warns Poland against ‘unleashing aggression’ against Belarus  

Russian president reacts angrily after Polish defence minister sends troops to guard eastern border 

Vladimir Putin has said Russia will use “all means at its disposal” to defend Belarus after Poland and other EU countries voiced concerns about the deployment of Russian paramilitaries near their borders. 

Putin delivered a series of aggressive remarks during a meeting of his security council, where he claimed without evidence that Poland was seeking to invade Belarus, a Russian ally, and that their elites were “dreaming of Belarusian lands”.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Putin also warns that Poland has eyes on Ukrainian territory .... Putin is again warning that Ukraine could be invaded and occupied by Poland (Insider). More here .... Poland Wouldn't Hesitate To Occupy Parts Of Western Ukraine, Putin Claims (Zero Hedge). 

Putin Warns Poland That Any Aggression Against Belarus Will Be Seen As An Attack On Russia 

Putin Tells Poland Any Aggression Against Belarus Is Attack on Russia -- Reuters  

Putin warns Poland an attack on Belarus would be an attack on Russia -- Politico  

Any Polish aggression on Belarus is attack on Russia, Putin says -- Al Jazeera  

Tensions Heat Up Between Russia and Poland -- Newsweek

Poland Arrests Professional Russian Hockey Player For Spying

File photo: UKS Zaglebie Sosnowiec defender Maksim Sergeyev  

Moscow Times/AFP: Poland Detains Russian Hockey Player Suspected of Spying for Moscow 

Poland said Friday it arrested a Russian ice hockey player on suspicion of having spied for Moscow while playing for a Polish club, prompting Russia to protest and demand an "immediate" explanation. 

Relations between Warsaw and Moscow have been hostile historically but have reached new lows during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Poland being one of Kyiv's staunchest allies. 

Warsaw said the man was the fourteenth person arrested in what it called a spy ring taking orders from Moscow. 

"All of them were identified as foreigners from beyond the eastern border of the Republic of Poland," Warsaw's ABW secret services said, without clarifying if all of the suspects were Russian citizens. 

 "The entire group was used by the Russians to conduct intelligence activities, including monitoring railway routes, as well as spreading propaganda against NATO, Poland and the policies of the Polish government," it added.  

Read more ....  

Update: Poland charges hockey player in suspected Russian spy ring (UPI)  

WNU Editor: The Kremlin wants answers .... Russia demands answers from Poland on sports star’s arrest (RT). 

On a side note. There has been a push in Canada since the start of the war to ban Russian hockey players .... 'Players are our players, our family': Sutter disagrees that Russian NHL players should be suspended (CTV News). With the Olympic Games only a year away, I expect there will be an intensified push by the West to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes.

Poland To Close Its Border For Russian, Belarusian Trucks

Poland suspended traffic registered in Belarus and Russia on the border with Belarus. Photo byPolska Agencja Prasowa  

Reuters: Poland Says It Will Close Border to Freight Vehicles From Belarus and Russia 

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland will close its eastern border to freight vehicles registered in Belarus and Russia until further notice, according to a draft regulation published on Friday by the interior ministry. 

The move comes as a Belarusian court upheld an earlier decision to sentence a journalist of Polish origin to eight years in prison, stoking tensions between the two countries that have been running high in part due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

According to the justification of the regulation, the decision was necessary to "ensure public safety".  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Poland to close border for Russian, Belarusian trucks (Kyiv Independent)  

Update #2: Poland set to close border to freight vehicles registered in Belarus and Russia (Meduza)  

Update #3: Poland suspends freight traffic registered in Belarus and Russia (Euromaidan Press)  

WNU Editor: The border is slated to be closed on June 1.

Russia Considering Breaking Ties With Poland

A car leaves through the gate of the Russian embassy building in Warsaw, Poland March 26, 2018. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo  

RT: Russia contemplates severing ties with Poland  

An extreme outcome is now a real prospect amid an unfolding row over diplomatic property in Warsaw, Moscow's envoy has acknowledged  

Diplomatic relations between Russia and Poland that are already fraught, may deteriorate further or even be completely severed, Moscow’s top diplomat to Warsaw has warned. Ambassador Sergey Andreev's comments came after the Polish prime minister suggested this week that kicking the envoy out of the country would be “easy” to do. 

Andreev said there “was always a possibility” that ties could be severed, when asked about such a scenario by the Izvestia newspaper. “Whether it becomes reality depends on the decisions of our leadership and the Polish authorities,” he said in an interview published on Tuesday. 

Read more .... 

Update: The Russian ambassador spoke about the possibility of severing diplomatic relations with Poland (Eastern Herald)  

WNU Editor: Diplomatic relations between Russia and Poland are already in the toilet. But Russia is not going to break ties with Poland right now. There are many Russians living in Poland, and because of that Russia will maintain its diplomatic presence. But if Poland directly intervenes in the Ukraine war, to me it is a given that diplomatic ties will be severed.

Russian Jet Intercepts Polish Border Plane On Patrol Over The Black Sea

A SU-35 military jet came within five metres of the Polish plane. (Reuters: Sergei Karpukhin) 

ABC News Australia: Russian jet's 'dangerous manoeuvres' near Polish plane cause crew to lose control and altitude 

A Russian fighter jet has intercepted a Polish plane on patrol for the EU's border agency over the Black Sea, causing the pilots to temporarily lose control of the aircraft, according to Warsaw. 

According to Poland's border force, the Russian Sukhoi Su-35 plane did not make radio contact before carrying out "aggressive and dangerous manoeuvres, approaching the border guard plane three times without keeping to the required safety distance," on Sunday. 

The Polish plane, an L-410 Turbolet, experienced turbulence and the crew temporarily "lost control of the aircraft and lost altitude," the border force said.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This incident happened on Friday. The Russian military believes these NATO/EU flights are intelligence gathering operations to assist Ukraine on what targets to hit in Crimea. Bottom line. The Russian air-force is not going to make life easy for these NATO/EU flights. 

Russian Jet Intercepts Polish Border Plane On Patrol Over The Black Sea  

Poland Border Guard says patrol intercepted by Russian jet -- DW  

Polish EU border patrol plane avoids collision with Russian jet -- Reuters  

Russian Jet Intercepts Polish Plane Over Black Sea -- AFP  

Russian Jet Intercepts Polish Plane Over Black Sea: Romania -- Defense Post  

NATO aviation alerted as Russian Su-35 intercepts Polish border plane over Black Sea -- The New Voice of Ukraine  

NATO air force put on alert due to Polish aircraft interception by Russian Su-35 -- Ukrainska Pravda  

Russian provocation: Polish gov’t spokesman on Black Sea incident -- TVP  

Spicy encounter between a Russian Su-35 and a Polish Let L-410 over the Black Sea -- Aviacionline

Russia Vows A Harsh Response After Polish 'Seizure' Of Embassy School In Warsaw

 

Politico: Russia promises ‘harsh’ response after Poland seizes Warsaw building  

Polish authorities seized the building near Moscow’s embassy in Warsaw Saturday morning. 

Moscow on Saturday said there would be a “harsh” reaction and consequences for Poland’s interests in Russia, after Polish authorities seized a building near Moscow’s embassy in Warsaw — a step Russia labeled “illegal.” 

The building, used as a high school for the children of diplomats, belongs to the Warsaw city hall, Polish foreign ministry spokesman Łukasz Jasina told AFP, adding that authorities had acted on a bailiff’s order. 

But Russia’s foreign ministry slammed the move as a “hostile” act in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and as an encroachment against Russian diplomatic property in Poland.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Russia vows retaliation after Poland seizes embassy school (CNN)  

Update #2: Russia pledges harsh response after Polish 'seizure' of embassy school in Warsaw (Reuters)  

WNU Editor: Major countries, after their embassies and consulates, usually operate other buildings that provide housing, schools, extra office space, etc., to accommodate their staff and families. These other buildings are considered as under "diplomatic" protection. 

In the case of this school and another building in Warsaw, the decision has been made that even though these buildings have been operated by Russia for years, their diplomatic immunity no longer applies. 

Here is an easy prediction. This action by the Polish government is going to open a Pandoras Box on what will now be treated as being under diplomatic protection or not.

Dutch F-35s Intercepted Two Russian Fighters And A Recon Aircraft As They Approached Polish Airspace From Russia's Kaliningrad

Daily Mail: Dutch F-35s scramble to intercept Russian spy plane and fighter jets approaching NATO-member Poland's airspace 

* Russian jets approached Polish airspace from Russian-controlled Kaliningrad 

* They were met by two Dutch F-35 fighters, which escorted them back 

A pair of Dutch F-35 fighters were scrambled overnight to intercept a formation of three Russian warplanes near NATO member Poland. 

The Russian jets - one spy plane and two fighters - were met as they approached Polish airspace from the Russian-controlled enclave of Kaliningrad, and were escorted back out of NATO territory, the Netherlands' defence ministry said Monday. 

'The then unknown aircraft approached the Polish NATO area of responsibility from Kaliningrad,' according to Reuters' translation of the ministry's statement. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Dutch jets intercept three Russian military planes near Poland, ministry says -- Politico  

Update #2: Dutch F-35 intercept, escort away Russian warplanes nearing Polish airspace -- Jerusalem Post  

WNU Editor: Kaliningrad shares a border with Poland.

Poland's Lower House Passes Resolution Saying Russia Is A State Sponsor Of Terrorism

Sejm przyjął uchwałę uznającą Rosję za państwo sponsorujące terroryzm! Opozycja nie wzięła udziału w głosowaniuhttps://t.co/xs1Qawda0T

— wPolityce.pl (@wPolityce_pl) December 14, 2022

Polskie Radio: Polish MPs have passed a resolution designating Russia as “a state sponsor of terrorism” over Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. 

The resolution was adopted by the Sejm, the lower house of Poland's parliament, in a 231-2 vote, with one abstention, on Wednesday night, Polish state news agency PAP reported. 

A total of 226 lawmakers, mainly those from the opposition, did not take part in the vote, according to public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency.   

Earlier, the Sejm amended the draft to mention the 2010 Smolensk air disaster, in which a Polish plane carrying President Lech Kaczyński, his wife and 94 others, including top political and military figures, crashed near Smolensk, western Russia, killing all those on board.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Poland’s Sejm declares Russia state terrorism sponsor (New Voice Of Ukraine)  

Update #2: Poland’s Sejm recognizes Russia as state sponsor of terrorism (Ukrinform)  

WNU Editor: The Kremlin has responded .... Russia Blasts Poland’s ‘State Sponsor of Terror’ Label (Moscow Times).

Poland Considering Building A Wall On The Russian-Kaliningrad Border

A Polish border guard checks the Polish-Russian border near the village of Ostre Bardo near Kaliningrad  

Reuters: Poland Mulls Barrier on Kaliningrad Border, Says Top Official 

WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland may have to build a barrier on its border with the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, a top Polish official said on Tuesday, as Warsaw suspects Russia plans to help African and Asian migrants cross over in the coming week. 

Poland accuses Russia and its ally Belarus of using migrants as part of a "hybrid warfare" campaign to destabilise Europe. 

With tensions running high due to the war in Ukraine, Poland fears a repeat of the 2021 crisis when thousands of African and Middle-Eastern migrants tried to cross the Belarus border. 

Read more ....  

Update: Poland set to build wall along border with Russia to keep out migrants (SKY News)  

WNU Editor: The last place that migrants want to find themselves right now is Russia. Including using going through the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.

In A Warning to Poland Russia Says It Killed 80 Polish Fighters In Ukraine

A fighter of the territorial defense unit, a support force to the regular Ukrainian army, holds a Kalashnikov gun decorated with Ukrainian flag. American and British foreigners have also traveled to the region to join the fighting. Sergei Supinsky/AFP  

Daily Mail: Now Russia threatens POLAND: Putin claims to have 'killed 80 Polish fighters' in east Ukraine and removes flag from memorial to WW2 Poles killed by Soviet Union amid fresh tensions mount over Kaliningrad enclave 

* Russia claimed a 'precision strike' wiped out 80 Polish fighters in the Donbas 

* On same day Russia admitted taking down Polish flag from Katyn massacre site 

* Poland has called on NATO to reinforce Suwalki Gap to support Lithuania 

* Lithuania is enforcing a blockade on Kaliningrad that has infuriated Moscow 

Tensions between Russia and NATO member Poland have been cranking up to boiling point in recent days amid Russian claims that it has killed 'up to 80 Polish mercenaries' in missile strikes. 

The reported losses come on the same day that Russia confirmed it has removed a Polish flag from a memorial commemorating the murder of thousands of Poles by the Soviet Union in 1940.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: According to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Poland has the most foreign fighters in Ukraine. 

Russia Says It Killed 80 Polish Fighters In Ukraine 

Russian troops kill ‘up to 80’ Polish fighters in Ukraine: Moscow -- The Guardian/AFP  

Russia turns on Poland as Putin claims to have 'killed 80 Polish fighters' in Ukraine -- Daily Star  

Putin claims to have 'killed 80 Polish fighters' in horror warning to the NATO-country -- Express  

Russia says it’s killed 80 Polish fighters in warning to Nato member -- Metro  

Up to 80 Polish mercenaries destroyed by high-precision weapons of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Konstantinovka -- TopWar.ru

Poland's Prime Minister Says 'Russia’s Monstrous Ideology Must Be Defeated'

📰PM @MorawieckiM for @Telegraph on Putin’s “Russkiy Mir” ideology and #Russia’s aggression against #Ukraine. Read more: https://t.co/AxkoOTdIH7 pic.twitter.com/xRvoBJEPTc

— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) May 10, 2022

📰PM @MorawieckiM for @Telegraph on Putin’s “Russkiy Mir” ideology and #Russia’s aggression against #Ukraine. Read more: https://t.co/AxkoOTegwF pic.twitter.com/pZhGHRzvF4

— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) May 10, 2022

Daily Mail: Vladimir Putin is 'more dangerous than Hitler or Stalin', Poland's prime minister warns as he calls for the Russian leader's 'monstrous ideology' to be wiped out 

* Mateusz Morawiecki said Vladimir Putin has 'deadlier weapons at his disposal' 

* In addition, he said, Putin has access to the internet to spread his propaganda 

* The Polish PM said the world must root out and eradicate Putin's ideology 

* If it doesn't he warned, Putin will not stop his assault on Europe in Ukraine 

Vladimir Putin is more dangerous than Hitler or Stalin, Poland's prime minister warned on Wednesday, as he called for the Russian tyrant's 'monstrous ideology' to be wiped out. 

Mateusz Morawiecki said Putin has 'deadlier weapons at his disposal' than the 20th-century dictators - likely referring to Putin's nuclear arsenal - and added that he also has use of the internet to spread his propaganda.  

Read more .... 

Update #1: Poland PM Morawiecki Says Putin ‘more Dangerous Than Hitler Or Stalin’ -- Republic World 

Update #2: Vladimir Putin ‘more dangerous than Hitler or Stalin’, says Poland’s prime minister -- The Independent  

WNU Editor: Polish President Mateusz Morawieck's opinion piece is behind a paywall .... Russia's monstrous ideology must be defeated (Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawieck, The Telegraph). 

So why the op-ed from the Polish PM now? 

There has been numerous reports in the past few weeks that Poland may deploy military forces into Western Ukraine .... The Threat of Polish Involvement in Ukraine (Douglas Macgregor, American conservative). My gut is telling me that the Polish government is preparing the West and its own citizens that Polish forces will be deployed to Ukraine, and this op-ed is just one of many public announcements that is laying the groundwork to justify such an intervention.

Russian Ambassador To Poland Is Attacked By Pro-Ukraine Activists At A Wreath Wreath-Laying Ceremony in Warsaw

 

Daily Mail: Russian ambassador is doused in red paint and branded a 'fascist' by pro-Ukraine activists while laying flowers at Soviet war memorial in Poland 

* Sergei Andreev, Russia's ambassador to Ukraine, attempted to lay wreath at Soviet war memorial in Warsaw 

* But he was met by a crowd of pro-Ukraine protesters who pelted him and his security with bags of red paint 

* Police took Andreev back to his car so he could leave, with the ambassador saying later that he was uninjured 

* Wreath-laying was taking place to mark Victory Day, when Russians commemorate Nazi Germany's surrender 

Russia's ambassador to Poland was doused in red paint and pelted with objects as he tried to lay a wreath at a memorial to Soviet soldiers in Warsaw today. 

Sergei Andreev was confronted by protesters as he tried to mark Victory Day - Nazi Germany's surrender in 1945 - at the Soviet Military ceremony in the Polish capital. 

He was blocked from entering the cemetery by a crowd that waved Ukrainian flags in his face and chanted 'fascist' before people began throwing things at him.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The host country is responsible for the security and well-being of diplomats in planned events/settings like this one. Clearly the Polish authorities failed. Needless to say that this video is being widely played in Russia.

 Russian Ambassador To Poland Is Attacked By Pro-Ukraine Activists At A Wreath Wreath-Laying Ceremony in Warsaw  

Russian envoy to Poland hit with red paint at war cemetery -- AP 

Russian envoy to Poland doused in red by anti-war protesters -- Reuters  

Russian Envoy to Poland Splattered with Red Paint on Victory Day -- Moscow Times  

Russian ambassador to Poland pelted with red paint at VE Day gathering -- The Guardian  

Russian ambassador to Poland hit with red liquid by anti-war protesters -- DW  

Russian Envoy to Poland Doused With Red Liquid at Wreath-Laying Ceremony in Warsaw - VIDEO -- Sputnik 

Russian ambassador attacked in Warsaw -- RT  

Assault on Russian envoy in Poland confirms West’s aim to revive Nazism — Russian diplomat -- TASS  

Polish Foreign Ministry 'Realises Seriousness of Situation' Following Attack on Russian Ambassador -- Sputnik

Chief Of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Says Poland And The U.S. Want To Divide Ukraine

Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin © Alexander Shcherbak/TASS  

Reuters: Russian Spy Chief Says U.S., Poland Plotting Division of Ukraine 

LONDON (Reuters) -Russia's foreign spy chief accused the United States and Poland on Thursday of plotting to gain a sphere of influence in Ukraine, a claim denied by Warsaw as disinformation aimed at sowing distrust among Kyiv's supporters. 

Sergei Naryshkin, the chief of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), cited unpublished intelligence that he said showed the United States and Poland, NATO allies, were plotting to restore Polish control over part of western Ukraine. 

"According to the intelligence received by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, Washington and Warsaw are working on plans to establish Poland's tight military and political control over its historical possessions in Ukraine," Naryshkin said in a rare statement released by the SVR. 

Poland denied the claim and said it was disinformation spread by Moscow.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Naryshkin announced Poland has plans to establish control over the part of Ukraine (Newizv) 

Update #2: Poland plans to take control of part of Ukraine? (B92)  

WNU Editor: Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin is not in the habit of making public statements. But this one caught my attention. 

Is it disinformation? I do not know. 

But Poland's ties to Western Ukraine are deeply historical. I should know. The family on my father's side originally moved from Poland 2 -3 centuries ago.It is something that you never forget.

Polish Media Says Russia Has Halted Gas Supplies To The Country

 

OilPrice.com: Polish Media: Russia Has Halted Gas Supplies To The Country 

Poland announced on Tuesday that it was preparing to impose sanctions on 50 Russian oligarchs and companies, as Polish media report that Russia has stopped gas deliveries to the country, causing European gas prices to get hit with a double-digit surge. 

Poland’s One.pl online news channel reported that Russia had suspended gas supplies to Poland under the Yamal contract, citing off-the-record sources claiming that the Ministry of Climate has now gathered its crisis team to deal with the situation. 

The Polish news agency said that there had been no announcement from Russia, though Russian President Vladimir Putin had threatened to cut Poland off from gas.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Russia's Gazprom is denying these reports .... Gazprom denies stoppage of gas supplies to Poland (RT). 

On a side note. Here is another ominous report on what will be the economic impact on Europe if Russian energy supplies are cut .... Economists Warn Of A Recession In Europe If Russia Halts Gas Supply (OilPrice.com).

Kremlin Condemns Polish Government Remarks On Their Readiness To Host Nuclear Weapons

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov. FILE PHOTO © Sputnik / Natalia Seliverstova  

Zero Hedge: If Poland Hosts US Nukes, Russia Will Station Nuclear Weapons Along Western Border: Kremlin 

As fully expected, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday blasted Poland's offer to the United States of its 'readiness' to host nuclear weapons for NATO. 

The recent words of Deputy Prime Minister of Poland Jaroslaw Kaczynski were widely reported this weekend. He told Germany's Welt Am Sonntag newspaper: "If the Americans asked us to store American nuclear weapons in Poland, we would be open to it." "If the US were to ask us to host nuclear weapons in Poland, we would be open to this option. Such a step would enhance deterrence against Moscow," he had said.  

Read more .... 

Kremlin Condemns Polish Government Remarks On Their Readiness To Host Nuclear Weapons  

Statements by Polish Deputy PM may aggravate tensions in Europe, Kremlin says -- TASS  

Russia's Dmitry Peskov Slams Poland For Its Readiness To Host US' Nuclear Weapons -- Republic World

Kremlin condemns Polish comments on readiness to host nuclear weapons -- Reuters

Poland Orders The Expulsion Of 45 Russians Suspected Of Spying

The Russian Embassy in Poland. Ency (CC BY-SA 3.0)  

Moscow Times/AFP: Poland Expels 45 Russian Diplomats for Espionage 

Poland on Wednesday said it had expelled 45 Russian diplomats for espionage, an allegation immediately dismissed as baseless by Russia's ambassador to Poland. Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski made the announcement on Twitter. 

"Poland has expelled 45 Russian spies pretending to be diplomats," he wrote. "We are dismantling the Russian special services network in our country."  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The Kremlin has responded .... Russian Ambassador Says There Is No Basis for Accusations Against 45 Officials Set to Be Expelled From Poland (Reuters). 

Poland Orders The Expulsion Of 45 Russians Suspected Of Spying 

Poland orders expulsion of 45 Russians suspected of spying -- ABC News/AP  

Poland expels 45 Russian diplomats, official says -- Reuters  

Poland expelling dozens of Russians 'pretending to be diplomats' -- The Hill

Russian President Putin 'Tired' Of Hearing Allegations From Warsaw That Moscow Is Responsible For A 2010 Plane Crash That Killed Then Polish President Lech Kaczynski

© Maxim Shemetov/TASS

Reuters: Putin says Poland should "grow up" and stop blaming Moscow for air crash

MOSCOW/WARSAW, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was tired of hearing allegations from Warsaw that a 2010 plane crash that killed then Polish President Lech Kaczynski was the result of a Russian conspiracy, drawing a sharp rebuke from Warsaw.

Responding to a question from a Polish reporter at an annual news conference, Putin said it was time for Poland to move beyond the plane crash, turn a new page, and “grow up”.

A Polish Air Force Tu-154 plane crashed near the Russian city of Smolensk on April 10, 2010, killing all 96 people on board, including President Kaczynski, whose twin brother Jaroslaw is now the leader of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice Party, in power since 2015.

A previous Polish government concluded that pilot error was to blame for the crash, but Law and Justice ordered a new investigation which concluded this year that the plane was brought down by explosions on board.

Read more ....

Update: Putin castigates Poland’s attempt to blame Russia for presidential air crash as ‘bluff’ (TASS).

WNU Editor: This is what is getting Russian President Putin upset .... Polish official says Putin responsible for 2010 plane crash (National Post/AP).

Poland's Defense Minister Blames Russia For The 2010 Plane Crash That Killed Polish President Lech Kaczyński

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (C), Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu (L) and Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov visit the site of a Polish government Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft crash near Smolensk airport April 10, 2010. REUTERS/Ria Novosti/Pool/Alexei Nikolsky

Moscow Times: Poland's Defense Minister in 'No Doubt' Russia Responsible for 2010 Polish Plane Crash

Antoni Macierewicz, Poland's defense minister, has promised to present a new government report that he says “leaves no doubts” Russia is to blame for the 2010 plane crash that killed Polish president Lech Kaczyński.

“The actions of the Russian navigators and their Moscow decision makers had the aim to lead to the catastrophe of the Polish plane with president Lech Kaczyński and the whole delegation on-board,” Macierewicz told Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita.

The government plane crashed near Russia's Smolensk airport in April 2010 whilst carrying the first official delegation to commemorate the 1940 Katyn massacre. The plane carried the Polish president, his wife, the country's central bank chief, several MPs, its most senior military and cultural figures.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Russia had nothing to gain from the death of Polish President Lech Kaczyński. But like the 1963 Kennedy assassination .... there are a lot of theories, rumours, and suspicions on what caused this plane to crash .... and they are not going to go away in my life time (or the next).

Conflicting Reports On A Russian - Polish Sub Collision

Delegation from the capital of Kuban took part in the launch of submarine “Krasnodar”

Maritime Executive: Poland and Russia Spar Over Alleged Sub Collision

Polish and Russian sources are engaged in a dispute over whether two submarines were involved in a collision in the Baltic Sea.

Russia's REN TV reports that earlier this week, the Russian submarine Krasnodar collided with the Polish submarine Orzel. Interfax suggested that the Krasnodar was not significantly damaged and returned to port in St. Petersburg.

But the Polish defense ministry denied the reports, asserting that the Ozhel has not left the Gulf of Gdansk in recent days.

"There was no collision between Polish and Russian ships. This is Russian propaganda looking for problems where there are none," said Bartłomiej Misiewicz, a ministry spokesman.

The Orzel is a diesel-electric Kilo-class submarine of Soviet origin, dating to 1986. It carries up to 18 torpedoes or 24 mines.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: One the Russian sources for this story is here. There is no official Russian Ministry of Defense report of this incident, and the Polish ministry is denying it completely.

Hat Tip to reader Naz for this lead.