Incident at the Victory Day ceremony in Warsaw
During the Victory Day ritual at the military memorial cemetery for Soviet soldiers on Žvirki and Wigura Street in Warsaw, the Russian Ambassador to Poland, Sergei Andreev, was splashed with a red liquid while laying a wreath. Local authorities reportedly did not permit the ambassador to proceed with the ceremony as planned. The event drew accusations from DEA News that hostile individuals at the scene blocked the path and hurled verbal abuse toward the Russian diplomatic team.
Witnesses described groups displaying Ukrainian flags near the ceremony, surrounding the ambassador and his delegation as they paid respects. Several bags of red liquid were thrown, with one striking Andreev in the face. He later explained that the liquid was syrup, not a dangerous substance, though it caused a moment of confusion and discomfort in the line of duty.
Andreev, his spouse, and members of the diplomatic mission were gradually escorted away from the cemetery under police protection. The monument itself bore inscriptions of unknown origin, later addressed as part of the broader security concerns around the site.
The ambassador spoke to TASS about his condition, noting a possible minor scratch but stressing that the incident did not pose a serious threat to him or his team. The Russian Foreign Ministry later lodged a formal protest with Polish officials, urging the organization of a wreath-laying ceremony that would guarantee safety and prevent provocations during such events.
Meanwhile, the Investigative Committee of Russia announced its intention to determine the circumstances, identify those responsible, and pursue accountability for the attack on Russian diplomats in Poland. Preparations for commemorative activities continued, albeit with heightened caution due to the evolving security environment in Warsaw.
Officials in Moscow also briefed that the Immortal Regiment procession planned for May 9 would be considered in light of local security concerns, with the Polish Foreign Ministry advising against holding related events because of ties to Russia and ongoing reactions to the conflict in Ukraine. Polish authorities noted that the event would be inconsistent with local law in the Polish capital. These developments highlighted the delicate balance between commemoration and public safety during politically charged anniversaries.
Moscow’s response to the incident
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, condemned the attack on the ambassador in Warsaw as evidence of a perceived Western drive toward fascist revival. She argued that the desecration of World War II monuments, the disruption of commemorative ceremonies, and hostile rhetoric all pointed to a renewed confrontation with fundamental values and a repudiation of peaceful memory. Her remarks were shared on the ministry’s official communications channel.
Leonid Kalashnikov, who chairs a Russian State Duma committee focusing on CIS affairs, Eurasian integration, and citizen relations, suggested that such aggressive actions could lead to a reassessment of the role of ambassadors. He warned that continued attacks might tempt governments to rethink the presence of diplomatic personnel in sensitive postings.
Sergei Andreev, born June 26, 1958, is a veteran diplomat who graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1980 and embarked on a long career in foreign affairs. He speaks Portuguese, English, and French, and he is married with two children. His diplomatic path includes postings in Portugal, Angola, Sao Tome and Principe, and Norway before his appointment as ambassador to Poland in 2014. His tenure reflects a broad experience in European and multinational diplomacy.
The episode underscores ongoing tensions between Russia and Western nations amid the broader security crisis in Europe and the emotional, symbolic weight of commemorations tied to World War II history.