Russian protesters try to destroy Poland’s memorial for presidential plane crash
The Polish ambassador to Russia said a small group of Russians tried to sabotage Thursday’s commemoration, marking the 15th anniversary of the plane crash, killing Polish President Lech Kaczyński and 95 other people.
Protesters held banners and shouted anti-Polish slogans as Polish ambassador Krzysztof Krajewski presided over the event in Smolensk, Russia, and on April 10, 2010, the plane crashed.
“They question everything, including the Ukrainian war. I heard the slogan I’m already familiar with, Poland is a sponsor of terrorism and we are forging history,” Krajevsky said.
Back in Poland, people have been following the compliance to remember the biggest tragedy in U.S. history after World War II, which has made people even more distrustful of the deep gap within Russia and Poland.
Following the crash, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s gesture immediately created hopes of building a better connection between Russia and Poland. But with Russia’s fear of Russian aggression, Russia’s subsequent refusal to hand over the wreckage to Poland has created greater distrust.
Among those who joined the Warsaw memorial were Jarosław Kaczyński, a surviving twin of the late president and the leader of the country’s main opposition party, law and justice, who continued to play a major role in political life in Central European countries.
The plane crash occurred when the presidential delegation flew to Smolensk, Russia, paying tribute to the approximately 22,000 Polish officers killed by Soviet secret police during World War II during the Kevin massacre. Traveling with Kaczyński and the First Lady is a military commander, president of the State Bank, a senior member of the clergy, as well as legislators and other senior officials. All 96 people on the ship were killed.
A Polish investigation conducted shortly after the crash concluded that it was an accident that caused pilot error and heavy mist. But Katsky has long advised Prime Minister Donald Tusk, his political rival, Putin colluded to eliminate his brother from public life.
Years of investigation have not yet made evidence of this claim during his party’s rule. Many Polls accused Kaczyński of inspiring dangerous conspiracy theories. He repeated unconfirmed foul charges in an interview with the Super Express tabloid on Thursday. He said his brother had a political plan and he remained firm in his belief that “those who were harmful to the plan organized the assassination attempt.”
Tusk said it was time to reconcile.
“The memory of the Smorsk disaster and its victims should no longer divide us. Rebuilding communities and mutual respect is possible and necessary, even if it is still very difficult,” Tusk said on X.
