On Sunday, 16 November, Polish Ambassador Krzysztof Krajewski was attacked by a hostile group in St. Petersburg, prompting security to intervene.
The Incident
For years, Polish Security Service has protected Ambassador Krzysztof Krajewski in Russia, but on Sunday, 16 November, in St. Petersburg, he was assaulted by a group of protesters with anti‑Polish and anti‑Ukrainian banners. The confrontation escalated from shouting to attempts at physical violence, prompting security to intervene.
Polish Official Response
Foreign Minister spokesperson Maciej Wewiór said the verbal harassment turned into a physical threat and that protection had to act. He noted that the issue was raised on 19 November during a meeting with the Russian charge d’affaires, where Poland opposed the incident and Russia admitted such situations should not occur.
At the same meeting, Poland revoked its consent for the consulate in Gdańsk, which is to close by midnight on 23 December, with staff required to leave Poland.
Polish Ambassador’s Account
Ambassador Krajewski told PAP: “It was another hostile act against me and the staff. While walking along Newsky Prospekt, the activists—well organised and led by outsiders—verbally attacked me, shouting anti‑Polish and anti‑Ukrainian slogans, and tried to assault me physically.”
Russian Media Narrative
Russian press and social media portray the event differently, omitting the attempted physical attack. They claim a “peaceful activist group” sought to question the ambassador, attributing aggressive behaviour to Polish security. Video footage, however, shows shouting and an alleged chant accusing the diplomat of killing children for money. Another activist warned, “The terrorist walks in St. Petersburg.”
Protection Rationale and Context
Wewiór explained that security levels vary by diplomatic post; some sites require stronger protection. He emphasized that tensions between Warsaw and Moscow are increasing monthly, making each diplomat’s travel to Russia more cautious. Ambassador Krajewski has held the position since 2021 amid these shifts.