The Russian ambassador to Poland, Sergei Andreyev, was doused in red paint in front of the monument at the cemetery of Soviet soldiers in Warsaw. According to the UNIAN agency, Ukrainian journalist Iryna Zemliana admitted to the attack.
On May 9, the Russians celebrate Victory Day and, on this occasion, Ambassador Sergei Andreyev was going to lay flowers at the Soviet Soldiers’ Cemetery in Warsaw. Several hundred people showed up at the protest in front of the necropolis. At a certain moment, a Russian diplomat was doused in red paint as a sign of opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The diplomat was surrounded and after a while, he managed to evacuate himself by car.
“We are dealing with emotions related to what is happening in Ukraine. These emotions are understandable. It is just like any assembly; it does not differ from other events that take place on a daily basis”, says Sylwester Marczak, the spokesman of the Warsaw Police Commander who dealt with the event. He added that everything will be subject to a criminal-legal analysis.
“At the moment we are not talking about numbers, this analysis of the incident will be carried out fairly. We will provide more information later”, announced the spokesman.
Zbigniew Rau, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued a statement shortly after the incident.
“The event that took place today during the laying of wreaths by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation at the Cemetery of the Fallen Soviet Soldiers was a regrettable incident that should not have happened. Diplomats enjoy special protection, regardless of the policies pursued by their governments”, wrote the head of Polish diplomacy.
At the press briefing after the event, the government spokesman, Piotr Müller, emphasized that the Russian embassy had been previously informed about the potential reactions to the public appearance of Andreyev.
“The Polish authorities previously sent a note to the Russian embassy indicating the risks associated with the intention to publicly lay flowers at the Mausoleum of Soviet Soldiers in Warsaw” reported Müller.
Arkadiusz Słomczyński