Local authorities in Warsaw have seized a former Russian diplomatic compound that is still claimed by Moscow. After bailiffs on Monday forcibly gained entry to the site, the city’s mayor, Rafał Trzaskowski, declared that the building would be used to benefit the Ukrainian community.
Russia’s ambassador to Poland, however, has condemned the city’s actions, accusing it of “occupying” a diplomatic facility. The complex, which was built by the Soviets in the 1970s, later became known by locals as “Spyville” (Szpiegowo) amid claims it was still used by Russian intelligence after 1989.
“Spyville is passing into our hands,” said Trzaskowski at a press conference outside the complex on Monday. “It is extremely symbolic that we are closing this process now, in the era of Russian aggression. I am committed to ensuring that this building can serve our Ukrainian friends.”
“I was planning to go up to the roof and put our flag there,” said Ukraine’s ambassador to Poland, Andriy Deshchytsya, speaking alongside Trzaskowski. “But I will wait with this until all the formalities are completed. Unlike the Russians, we respect the law.”
Deshchytsya added that they already “have a lot of ideas for this place”, including for use as a school and community centre. But first the condition of the site needed to be ascertained.
Every room in the building had been stripped and left in ruins, Trzaskowski later wrote on Facebook, showing images of the interior and noting that even the elevator wiring was cut. Construction companies and design offices have already declared a willingness to help prepare the premises free of charge, said city hall.
After Poland left the Soviet bloc, Russia continued to claim ownership of the site, which is located at 100 Sobieskiego Street, citing international agreements providing for the use of the building for diplomatic purposes.
However, the city authorities argued that the building has not been used as a diplomatic facility for a long time. In 2016, Warsaw district court ordered Russia to return the illegally occupied property and to pay more than 7 million zloty in outstanding debt plus interest.
In the absence of willingness from Russia to fulfil its obligation, Warsaw’s mayor filed a motion for bailiff enforcement, city hall said in a statement on Monday.
“Polish representatives cut off the locks to the gate and… have essentially occupied the facility,” said Russia’s ambassador, Sergey Andreev, quoted by the RIA news agency. He accused Poland of illegitimately taking control of a diplomatic site.
I już po zamkach do pomieszczeń Szpiegowa w murze od strony ul. Sobieskiego. pic.twitter.com/fD0L58CaQB
— Michał Wojtczuk (@MichaWojtcz) April 11, 2022
Polish-Russian relations, already fraught for years, have soured further since the invasion of Ukraine. Last month, Poland expelled 45 “Russian spies pretending to be diplomats” and Moscow retaliated by declaring 45 Polish embassy and consulate staff persona non grata.
Meanwhile, Poland has been the main destination for refugees fleeing from Ukraine and one of the strongest advocates for sanctions against Moscow and international support for Kyiv.
Like other towns and cities around Poland, Warsaw has been offering accommodation and other support to those fleeing Ukraine. It has received over 300,000 refugees, increasing the capital’s population by around 17%.
Main image credit: Adam Stepien / Agencja Wyborcza.pl
Alicja Ptak is senior editor at Notes from Poland and a multimedia journalist. She previously worked for Reuters.
