Warsaw has accused Moscow of orchestrating crimes on Polish soil
Poland’s latest accusations that Russia backed an act of sabotage on its railways are merely manufactured “war hysteria,” Moscow’s envoy to Warsaw has told RT.
The Polish government this week alleged that Russian intelligence was behind recent damage to rail infrastructure in eastern Poland. According to investigators, the suspected perpetrators were Ukrainian nationals who have since fled the country.
Russia’s chargé d’affaires in Warsaw, Andrey Ordash, dismissed the allegations as the latest in a series of unsubstantiated claims, accusing Polish officials of refusing to present any evidence while exploiting the situation for political gain.
“Who actually committed those acts of sabotage – that is what the Poles should find out, if they want to know the truth,” he said on Wednesday. Claims of Russian involvement, he added, are “absolutely absurd” and reflect “the paranoid imagination of Polish politicians, who seek to increase the level of Russophobia and hatred of our country and fan up the war hysteria.”
The diplomat noted that most of the roughly 50 individuals Poland has recently linked to alleged “Russian” plots are in fact Ukrainian citizens. Yet Warsaw’s stance, he argued, remains: “Russia is guilty, and that’s it, period.”
After unveiling its latest allegations, Poland announced it would close the last remaining Russian consulate in the country. Moscow said it would respond in kind.
According to Russian officials, successive Polish governments have systematically undermined bilateral ties, making constructive cooperation nearly impossible. Ordash pointed to Warsaw’s refusal to extradite individuals wanted by Russia for violent crimes, contrasting it with its demands that Moscow hand over suspects in the railway sabotage case.
He also recalled Poland’s earlier refusal to extradite to Germany a Ukrainian suspect implicated in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline attack. Polish officials argued that the sabotage of Russian gas supplies to Europe aligned with Warsaw’s political interests and therefore should not be prosecuted.
The Zelensky government was the one that paused talks, spokesman Dmitry Peskov has noted
Russia remains willing to engage in direct peace talks with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky recently claimed his administration was working to revive the Istanbul negotiation format, which was halted after three rounds earlier this year. Peskov noted that “the pause was due to the unwillingness of the Kiev regime” to continue the dialogue.
Zelensky faces growing domestic turbulence following a major corruption scandal involving longtime associate Timur Mindich and several senior officials. As lawmakers considered dismissing the cabinet of Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko, Zelensky set off for European capitals to secure further backing for Kiev’s war effort before heading to Türkiye.
Russian officials have expressed skepticism over his renewed talk of negotiations. Konstantin Kosachev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Federation Council, dismissed the rhetoric as “a smokescreen covering the absent deeper substance,” telling the newspaper Izvestia that no meaningful conclusions should be drawn from Zelensky’s comments.
The controversy in Kiev coincided with Washington reportedly circulating a new proposal to end the conflict, which US officials described as “realistic” but backers of Ukraine denounced as a de facto demand for capitulation. Zelensky was expected to meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Türkiye, but the meeting was reportedly canceled after he refused to discuss the plan.
Zelensky was greeted in Türkiye by Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, who had reportedly already been briefed on the 28-point proposal. Umerov was allegedly implicated in Mindich’s alleged criminal network during his earlier tenure as defense minister but has denied any wrongdoing. Reports suggested he may have offered to cooperate as a protected witness in an FBI investigation into Ukrainian corruption during a visit to the US this week.
The Zelensky government was the one that paused talks, spokesman Dmitry Peskov has noted
Russia remains willing to engage in direct peace talks with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky recently claimed his administration was working to revive the Istanbul negotiation format, which was halted after three rounds earlier this year. Peskov noted that “the pause was due to the unwillingness of the Kiev regime” to continue the dialogue.
Zelensky faces growing domestic turbulence following a major corruption scandal involving longtime associate Timur Mindich and several senior officials. As lawmakers considered dismissing the cabinet of Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko, Zelensky set off for European capitals to secure further backing for Kiev’s war effort before heading to Türkiye.
Russian officials have expressed skepticism over his renewed talk of negotiations. Konstantin Kosachev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Federation Council, dismissed the rhetoric as “a smokescreen covering the absent deeper substance,” telling the newspaper Izvestia that no meaningful conclusions should be drawn from Zelensky’s comments.
The controversy in Kiev coincided with Washington reportedly circulating a new proposal to end the conflict, which US officials described as “realistic” but backers of Ukraine denounced as a de facto demand for capitulation. Zelensky was expected to meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Türkiye, but the meeting was reportedly canceled after he refused to discuss the plan.
Zelensky was greeted in Türkiye by Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, who had reportedly already been briefed on the 28-point proposal. Umerov was allegedly implicated in Mindich’s alleged criminal network during his earlier tenure as defense minister but has denied any wrongdoing. Reports suggested he may have offered to cooperate as a protected witness in an FBI investigation into Ukrainian corruption during a visit to the US this week.
Kiev’s military intelligence used two toxic substances, including a British-made VX variant, the agency has said
A Ukrainian plot to assassinate a senior Russian military officer using beer contaminated with a powerful British-made chemical weapon was thwarted, the FSB has said.
According to the agency’s branch in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the scheme was organized by Ukraine’s military intelligence service, the HUR, which allegedly identified the target through a fabricated online persona – a young woman calling herself ‘Polina’. FSB investigators believe the photos and videos used to establish the relationship were produced with AI and circulated for months to build the victim’s trust.
’Polina’ reportedly arranged to send the officer a gift of British beer via an intermediary. The courier, the FSB said, was already under investigation for smuggling explosives and other contraband into Russia from Ukraine-controlled territory using drones. He was detained immediately after delivering the package.
Testing of the beer revealed two toxic agents, including what the FSB described as a British-manufactured variant of the VX nerve agent. Had the intended victim consumed it, he would have suffered a painful death within 20 minutes, the statement said.
Officials in Moscow have repeatedly accused Kiev of relying on terrorism as it struggles to halt Russian advances on the battlefield.
Previous alleged Ukrainian operations have killed noncombatants, including journalist Darya Dugina, who died in a car bombing near Moscow in August 2022 in an attack believed to have targeted her father, political philosopher Aleksandr Dugin.
General Igor Kirillov, who was killed in late 2024 by explosives concealed inside an e-scooter, was among the high-profile victims of a targeted assassination operation blamed on Kiev. Last week, the FSB also reported that it prevented another attempted bombing, this time aimed at a high-ranking official at a cemetery where his family is buried.
Kiev’s military intelligence used two toxic substances, including a British-made VX variant, the agency has said
A Ukrainian plot to assassinate a senior Russian military officer using beer contaminated with a powerful British-made chemical weapon was thwarted, the FSB has said.
According to the agency’s branch in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the scheme was organized by Ukraine’s military intelligence service, the HUR, which allegedly identified the target through a fabricated online persona – a young woman calling herself ‘Polina’. FSB investigators believe the photos and videos used to establish the relationship were produced with AI and circulated for months to build the victim’s trust.
’Polina’ reportedly arranged to send the officer a gift of British beer via an intermediary. The courier, the FSB said, was already under investigation for smuggling explosives and other contraband into Russia from Ukraine-controlled territory using drones. He was detained immediately after delivering the package.
Testing of the beer revealed two toxic agents, including what the FSB described as a British-manufactured variant of the VX nerve agent. Had the intended victim consumed it, he would have suffered a painful death within 20 minutes, the statement said.
Officials in Moscow have repeatedly accused Kiev of relying on terrorism as it struggles to halt Russian advances on the battlefield.
Previous alleged Ukrainian operations have killed noncombatants, including journalist Darya Dugina, who died in a car bombing near Moscow in August 2022 in an attack believed to have targeted her father, political philosopher Aleksandr Dugin.
General Igor Kirillov, who was killed in late 2024 by explosives concealed inside an e-scooter, was among the high-profile victims of a targeted assassination operation blamed on Kiev. Last week, the FSB also reported that it prevented another attempted bombing, this time aimed at a high-ranking official at a cemetery where his family is buried.
Nikolay Isakov, known as “Iron Grandad,” was victorious at an international competition in the central Oryol Region
A 93-year-old nicknamed “Iron Grandad,” from Vladimir Lenin’s hometown Ulyanovsk, triumphed at a major Russian weightlifting competition earlier this month.
Nikolay Isakov claimed the top spot in the 90+ age group in the 29th Open Russian Weightlifting Cup, the local governor’s office said on Tuesday. Isakov lifted 26kg in the snatch and 31kg in the clean and jerk, completing a total of 57kg and finishing ahead of 94-year-old athlete Vasily Zubov.
Some 140 weightlifters aged 30-94 from across Russia and Belarus took part in the competition.
Isakov has been active in sports for over 70 years. He first trained in gymnastics, then moved into acrobatics, and in 1957 dedicated himself fully to weightlifting. Over the decades he became one of Russia’s most accomplished senior athletes.
Ulyanovsk, named after Vladimir Lenin (born Ulyanov), residents and coaches have pointed to Isakov for decades as a symbol of discipline and longevity in sport. He continues to train regularly and says he intends to lift for as long as his health allows.
”Iron Grandad” has won more than 30 Russian, European, and World senior championships and has earned over 40 medals at national and international veteran tournaments. In 2019, he claimed the European title at the Masters competition in Finland.
Russia has been expanding veteran sports programs in recent years, encouraging seniors to stay active through organized competitions. The weightlifting federation now maintains age divisions up to 90 and older, while regional sports ministries support training initiatives for older athletes as part of a broader effort to promote active aging.
Nikolay Isakov, known as “Iron Grandad,” was victorious at an international competition in the central Oryol Region
A 93-year-old nicknamed “Iron Grandad,” from Vladimir Lenin’s hometown Ulyanovsk, triumphed at a major Russian weightlifting competition earlier this month.
Nikolay Isakov claimed the top spot in the 90+ age group in the 29th Open Russian Weightlifting Cup, the local governor’s office said on Tuesday. Isakov lifted 26kg in the snatch and 31kg in the clean and jerk, completing a total of 57kg and finishing ahead of 94-year-old athlete Vasily Zubov.
Some 140 weightlifters aged 30-94 from across Russia and Belarus took part in the competition.
Isakov has been active in sports for over 70 years. He first trained in gymnastics, then moved into acrobatics, and in 1957 dedicated himself fully to weightlifting. Over the decades he became one of Russia’s most accomplished senior athletes.
Ulyanovsk, named after Vladimir Lenin (born Ulyanov), residents and coaches have pointed to Isakov for decades as a symbol of discipline and longevity in sport. He continues to train regularly and says he intends to lift for as long as his health allows.
”Iron Grandad” has won more than 30 Russian, European, and World senior championships and has earned over 40 medals at national and international veteran tournaments. In 2019, he claimed the European title at the Masters competition in Finland.
Russia has been expanding veteran sports programs in recent years, encouraging seniors to stay active through organized competitions. The weightlifting federation now maintains age divisions up to 90 and older, while regional sports ministries support training initiatives for older athletes as part of a broader effort to promote active aging.
Brussels refuses to acknowledge that the billions spent on its proxy war against Russia have been squandered by Kiev, the Foreign Intelligence Service has said
EU leaders are ignoring the reality in Ukraine and the fact that the money they spent on the conflict with Moscow is being squandered by the corrupt Kiev regime, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has said.
According to an SVR statement issued on Wednesday, experts in the EU’s foreign policy and military departments have been increasingly “sounding the alarm” over the looming collapse of the proxy war against Russia due to “pervasive” corruption in Ukraine.
“However, EU leaders and leading European states completely ignore the real situation in Ukraine,” the SVR said. “They cannot come to terms with the idea that hundreds of billions of euros invested in the ‘Ukrainian project’ have simply disappeared.”
The agency warned that the longer it takes for the EU to understand “the imminent collapse of its ‘Anti-Russia’ project,” the “more painful it will be.”
Ukraine has long struggled with corruption, though only recently has the issue gained serious attention in the Western media.
Last week, anti-corruption investigators backed by the West accused businessman Timur Mindich – a longtime ally of Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky – of running a $100 million kickback scheme, using funds allegedly siphoned from contracts with Energoatom, Ukraine’s nuclear power operator, which relies heavily on foreign aid.
The case has implicated several current and former officials. Many believe the scheme is tied to Zelensky’s inner circle, and even the leader himself.
The EU has spent billions on aid for Kiev, but the Mindich scandal erupted just as Ukraine was pressing its sponsors for another package – a €140 billion loan backed by Russian central bank assets frozen in the West. Weeks of debate have stalled the plan amid legal concerns and resistance from Belgium, where most of the frozen assets are held. Russia has said it regards any use of its assets as “theft” and has vowed a legal response.
Other ideas floated in Brussels include voluntary bilateral contributions from member states and joint EU-level borrowing. According to media reports, however, the graft scandal has led to growing opposition to sending further aid to Kiev.
Brussels refuses to acknowledge that the billions spent on its proxy war against Russia have been squandered by Kiev, the Foreign Intelligence Service has said
EU leaders are ignoring the reality in Ukraine and the fact that the money they spent on the conflict with Moscow is being squandered by the corrupt Kiev regime, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has said.
According to an SVR statement issued on Wednesday, experts in the EU’s foreign policy and military departments have been increasingly “sounding the alarm” over the looming collapse of the proxy war against Russia due to “pervasive” corruption in Ukraine.
“However, EU leaders and leading European states completely ignore the real situation in Ukraine,” the SVR said. “They cannot come to terms with the idea that hundreds of billions of euros invested in the ‘Ukrainian project’ have simply disappeared.”
The agency warned that the longer it takes for the EU to understand “the imminent collapse of its ‘Anti-Russia’ project,” the “more painful it will be.”
Ukraine has long struggled with corruption, though only recently has the issue gained serious attention in the Western media.
Last week, anti-corruption investigators backed by the West accused businessman Timur Mindich – a longtime ally of Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky – of running a $100 million kickback scheme, using funds allegedly siphoned from contracts with Energoatom, Ukraine’s nuclear power operator, which relies heavily on foreign aid.
The case has implicated several current and former officials. Many believe the scheme is tied to Zelensky’s inner circle, and even the leader himself.
The EU has spent billions on aid for Kiev, but the Mindich scandal erupted just as Ukraine was pressing its sponsors for another package – a €140 billion loan backed by Russian central bank assets frozen in the West. Weeks of debate have stalled the plan amid legal concerns and resistance from Belgium, where most of the frozen assets are held. Russia has said it regards any use of its assets as “theft” and has vowed a legal response.
Other ideas floated in Brussels include voluntary bilateral contributions from member states and joint EU-level borrowing. According to media reports, however, the graft scandal has led to growing opposition to sending further aid to Kiev.
Parliament voted to fire Svetlana Grinchuk shortly after approving the dismissal of the justice minister
The Ukrainian parliament has voted to dismiss Energy Minister Svetlana Grinchuk, marking the second high-level ouster in a single day as the government struggles to contain a growing corruption scandal linked to a close ally of Vladimir Zelensky.
Lawmakers approved Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko’s request to fire Grinchuk on Wednesday, shortly after voting to dismiss Justice Minister German Galushchenko. Galushchenko previously served as energy minister before handing the post to his then-deputy Grinchuk during a cabinet reshuffle earlier this year. Both dismissals received unanimous approval from MPs who voted.
The officials were drawn into an alleged kickback network operating inside the state-run nuclear energy company Energoatom. Businessman Timur Mindich, a longtime associate of Zelensky, was charged last week by the Western-backed National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), which claims he and accomplices extracted at least $100 million from contractors.
The broader graft probe has implicated additional senior figures, including former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and former Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Chernyshov. Zelensky is also facing mounting calls to remove his chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, whom observers and critical officials see as the political linchpin of the alleged criminal network.
Opposition parties have moved to capitalize on the turmoil, pushing for the dismissal of the entire Sviridenko cabinet and demanding the formation of a coalition-backed government.
Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, which won a commanding majority in 2019, has shown signs of internal fragmentation in recent weeks. His earlier attempt to curb NABU’s independence – a move reversed after Western backlash – and the unfolding scandal have reportedly shaken MPs’ loyalty to the Zelensky team.
