The closure follows Poland's decision in October 2024 to shut down the Russian consulate in the city of Poznań, citing sabotage linked to Russian authorities. 

The Polish Foreign Ministry justified its move, stating it had uncovered “cases of sabotage linked to Russian authorities on the territory of Poland.” 

In retaliation, Russia ordered the closure of Poland’s diplomatic post in St. Petersburg, a decision finalized in December and implemented this week. 

Starting Friday, consular services for Poles in the St. Petersburg region will be handled by Poland's embassy in Moscow. 

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared three Polish consulate workers as "personae non gratae," ordering their departure by a specified date. 

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski dismissed Russia's actions as unsurprising, saying: “Everyone knows what Russia is like.” He added that Poland, unlike Russia, does not engage in acts of sabotage or arson. 

Poland’s ambassador to Russia, Krzysztof Krajweski, said in a statement that he hopes that the Polish consular post would return to St. Petersburg in “better times.” 

Despite the closure, Poland maintains diplomatic representation in Moscow, Kaliningrad and Irkutsk.