Poland Threatens to Shut All Russian Consulates Over Sabotage in Europe

Poland has threatened to shut down all Russian consulates on its territory if Moscow continues engaging in sabotage operations across Europe, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski declared at a press conference, reported the Guardian on November 19.

“I’ve already closed the consulate in Poznań. If they don’t stop carrying out sabotage in Europe, we’ll close the rest,” Sikorski stated.

Recent incidents in the Baltic Sea have raised alarms across Europe. Telecommunications between Finland and Germany were disrupted after the undersea cable C-Lion1, stretching 1,173 kilometers between Helsinki and Rostock, sustained damage. The cable serves as the sole direct communication link between Finland and Central Europe.

Additionally, a second undersea cable connecting Lithuania and Sweden was also damaged.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius labeled the incidents as “likely sabotage,” describing them as part of potential hybrid operations targeting critical infrastructure.

“It’s highly unlikely this damage occurred by accident,” Pistorius said before a meeting with EU defense ministers, underscoring the significance of the affected cables for European connectivity and security.

Investigations are underway by Finland, Germany, and Sweden to determine the cause and perpetrators behind the cable disruptions, which could signal a broader escalation of covert operations in the region.