Warsaw Orders Mass Expulsion of Russian Diplomatic Staff Amid Rising Tensions
WARSAW, Poland , On March 24, 2022, the Polish government issued a directive to expel 45 Russian nationals identified by security services as intelligence officers. The Internal Security Agency stated these individuals had been use diplomatic status as cover to conduct espionage activities against Poland. This decision was taken immediately following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began three weeks prior. The move represents one of the largest expulsions of foreign diplomats in Polish history and signals a sharp escalation in security measures as Warsaw prepares to host hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the conflict.
A Half-Decade of Diplomatic Cover
Stanislaw Zaryn, the state security spokesman, confirmed that the expelled individuals were operating under diplomatic cover but conducting intelligence work against Poland. He told reporters that these agents had been gathering sensitive information and undermining national stability. The Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Sergei Andreev to deliver a formal note regarding the expulsions. Andreev, who was not among those leaving, responded by stating that the targeted employees were engaged in normal diplomatic and trade activities. He warned that Russia would respond on a reciprocal basis if Poland proceeded with the orders.
Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Lukasz Jasina outlined the timeline for departure. Most of the 45 individuals were granted five days to leave the country, while one specific individual was ordered to depart within 48 hours due to an especially grave threat. Jasina emphasized that Russia had been waging a barbaric war against Ukraine and that Poland and other Western nations were treated as key enemies by Moscow. He warned that tolerating such illegal activity would endanger not only Polish security but also the safety of NATO and European Union allies with whom Poland coordinates all such operations.
Threats to Refugees and Internal Security
The decision to expel these diplomats came at a critical time when Poland was accepting large numbers of refugees from Ukraine. Jasina noted that the illegal activities of these diplomats could pose a direct threat to those people who had fled the war and found protection in Poland. Zaryn added that the security agency made the decision taking into account Russian aggression against Ukraine. He stated that he was unaware Poland had ever expelled so many intelligence agents at once, noting that the number represented about half of Russia’s diplomatic staff in Warsaw.
The security agency reported that Russian services were increasingly on the offensive and acting aggressively against Poland. Zaryn explained that the activities of the 45 Russians served objectives designed to undermine the stability of Poland and its allies in the international arena. He stated that these actions posed a threat to the interests and security of the country. The agency also revealed that it had detained a Polish citizen on suspicion of espionage for Russian secret services. The suspect, who was detained on March 17, worked in Warsaw’s registry office and had access to city archives.
Detention of Suspected Agents at Borders
The Polish state security service said the activity of the detained suspect posed a threat to both internal and external security of Poland. Zaryn confirmed that the Russian individual given only 48 hours to leave had been in contact with the Polish suspect. This was not the first time such arrests occurred in recent weeks. Just days after Russia invaded Ukraine, Poland also arrested a Spanish citizen of Russian origin suspected of conducting intelligence activities for Russia. The man was detained in Przemysl, a Polish border town where hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees had passed through in recent weeks.
Poland’s security agency identified the arrested man as an agent for the Russian military intelligence, the GRU. He was accused of profiting from his status as a journalist, which enabled him to freely travel around the world and Europe including military conflict zones and territories marked with political tensions. The arrest highlighted the vulnerability of border regions where refugees enter and where foreign agents may attempt to exploit confusion or lack of oversight.
Escalating Regional Tensions
The expulsions mark a significant shift in Poland’s approach to Russian diplomatic presence. By removing half of the Russian diplomatic staff, Warsaw has effectively crippled Moscow’s ability to conduct covert operations under the guise of diplomacy. The timing of the move show the urgency felt by Polish officials who view Russia as an existential threat. Jasina reiterated that further tolerance of such activity would create a particular threat to Poland’s security and that of its allies.
The situation remains fluid as both nations prepare for potential retaliatory measures. Andreev’s warning of reciprocal action suggests that Moscow may soon announce similar expulsions of Polish diplomats or other personnel in Russia. The broader geopolitical landscape continues to tighten as NATO members reassess their exposure to Russian intelligence networks. Poland stands ready to defend its sovereignty and protect the millions of refugees who have sought safety within its borders.
