Notes from Poland
@notesfrompoland.bsky.social
Independent and informed news and insight on Polish politics, culture, business and history.
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An appeals court has upheld the five-and-a-half-year prison sentences given to two Russians convicted of recruiting for the mercenary Wagner Group in Poland.
The men were caught after placing hundreds of Wager recruitment stickers in Warsaw and Kraków.
The men were caught after placing hundreds of Wager recruitment stickers in Warsaw and Kraków.
Polish court upholds jail sentences for Russian Wagner Group recruiters
notesfrompoland.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:55 AM
An appeals court has upheld the five-and-a-half-year prison sentences given to two Russians convicted of recruiting for the mercenary Wagner Group in Poland.
The men were caught after placing hundreds of Wager recruitment stickers in Warsaw and Kraków.
The men were caught after placing hundreds of Wager recruitment stickers in Warsaw and Kraków.
Poland has won its first medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics after 19-year-old ski jumper Kacper Tomasiak took silver in the men's normal hill individual.
Niewiarygodne sceny w Predazzo. Tomasiak aż zaniemówił. Chwile wzruszenia
Kacper Tomasiak do Włoch na igrzyska olimpijskie jechał z nadzieją na sprawienie niespodzianki, taką byłby pewnie byłaby walka o podium. Już przy
sport.interia.pl
February 9, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Poland has won its first medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics after 19-year-old ski jumper Kacper Tomasiak took silver in the men's normal hill individual.
Robert Bąkiewicz, a nationalist leader with ties to the opposition PiS party, has been charged with inciting the murder of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Bąkiewicz says his words have been deliberately misinterpreted as part of a political prosecution.
Bąkiewicz says his words have been deliberately misinterpreted as part of a political prosecution.
Polish nationalist leader charged with inciting murder of Prime Minister Tusk
notesfrompoland.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Robert Bąkiewicz, a nationalist leader with ties to the opposition PiS party, has been charged with inciting the murder of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Bąkiewicz says his words have been deliberately misinterpreted as part of a political prosecution.
Bąkiewicz says his words have been deliberately misinterpreted as part of a political prosecution.
Russia has accused Polish intelligence of being involved in last week’s attempted assassination of a general in Moscow, which it says was carried out on Ukraine’s orders.
Poland has not yet commented on the claims, which were presented without evidence.
Poland has not yet commented on the claims, which were presented without evidence.
Russia accuses Poland of involvement in assassination attempt on general in Moscow
notesfrompoland.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Russia has accused Polish intelligence of being involved in last week’s attempted assassination of a general in Moscow, which it says was carried out on Ukraine’s orders.
Poland has not yet commented on the claims, which were presented without evidence.
Poland has not yet commented on the claims, which were presented without evidence.
A consortium including FedEx has agreed to buy Polish delivery firm InPost in a deal that values the company at €7.8 billion.
The move is intended to provide FedEx with access to InPost's delivery infrastructure in Europe while helping InPost expand.
The move is intended to provide FedEx with access to InPost's delivery infrastructure in Europe while helping InPost expand.
Consortium including FedEx to buy Poland's InPost in €7.8 billion deal
notesfrompoland.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:34 PM
A consortium including FedEx has agreed to buy Polish delivery firm InPost in a deal that values the company at €7.8 billion.
The move is intended to provide FedEx with access to InPost's delivery infrastructure in Europe while helping InPost expand.
The move is intended to provide FedEx with access to InPost's delivery infrastructure in Europe while helping InPost expand.
Warsaw Zoo has launched a new facility, open 24/7, at which people can drop off injured wild birds in need of treatment.
The project was funded as part of the city's "citizens' budget", in which residents can propose and vote for projects to be implemented with municipal funds.
The project was funded as part of the city's "citizens' budget", in which residents can propose and vote for projects to be implemented with municipal funds.
Warsaw Zoo opens 24-hour drop off point for injured birds
notesfrompoland.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Warsaw Zoo has launched a new facility, open 24/7, at which people can drop off injured wild birds in need of treatment.
The project was funded as part of the city's "citizens' budget", in which residents can propose and vote for projects to be implemented with municipal funds.
The project was funded as part of the city's "citizens' budget", in which residents can propose and vote for projects to be implemented with municipal funds.
The proportion of Poles who dislike Americans, Jews and Ukrainians has risen more over the last year than for any other ethnic and national group.
However, Russians, Roma and Belarusians remain the most disliked groups, according to the latest instalment of a long-running CBOS poll.
However, Russians, Roma and Belarusians remain the most disliked groups, according to the latest instalment of a long-running CBOS poll.
Poles’ dislike of Americans, Jews and Ukrainians on the rise, survey shows
notesfrompoland.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:54 PM
The proportion of Poles who dislike Americans, Jews and Ukrainians has risen more over the last year than for any other ethnic and national group.
However, Russians, Roma and Belarusians remain the most disliked groups, according to the latest instalment of a long-running CBOS poll.
However, Russians, Roma and Belarusians remain the most disliked groups, according to the latest instalment of a long-running CBOS poll.
Poland has charged five people for smuggling cigarettes from Belarus using weather balloons.
Prosecutors say that the gang’s actions, as well as costing Poland over 2 million zloty in lost taxes, also helped support Russia’s war against Ukraine by providing income to Belarus.
Prosecutors say that the gang’s actions, as well as costing Poland over 2 million zloty in lost taxes, also helped support Russia’s war against Ukraine by providing income to Belarus.
Poland charges five men for smuggling cigarettes from Belarus with balloons
notesfrompoland.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Poland has charged five people for smuggling cigarettes from Belarus using weather balloons.
Prosecutors say that the gang’s actions, as well as costing Poland over 2 million zloty in lost taxes, also helped support Russia’s war against Ukraine by providing income to Belarus.
Prosecutors say that the gang’s actions, as well as costing Poland over 2 million zloty in lost taxes, also helped support Russia’s war against Ukraine by providing income to Belarus.
Poland has won the 2026 Rail Champion Award in recognition of its efforts to "drive rail forward as a pillar of European competitiveness and resilience".
Poland wins European Rail Champion Award
notesfrompoland.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Poland has won the 2026 Rail Champion Award in recognition of its efforts to "drive rail forward as a pillar of European competitiveness and resilience".
A court has ordered that former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who is wanted in Poland on suspicion of 26 crimes, be placed in pretrial detention.
The decision opens the way for a European Arrest Warrant against Ziobro, who fled to Hungary and obtained asylum there.
The decision opens the way for a European Arrest Warrant against Ziobro, who fled to Hungary and obtained asylum there.
Court orders pretrial detention for former Polish justice minister Ziobro
notesfrompoland.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:04 AM
A court has ordered that former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who is wanted in Poland on suspicion of 26 crimes, be placed in pretrial detention.
The decision opens the way for a European Arrest Warrant against Ziobro, who fled to Hungary and obtained asylum there.
The decision opens the way for a European Arrest Warrant against Ziobro, who fled to Hungary and obtained asylum there.
The US has cut all contact with the speaker of Poland's parliament because of his "outrageous insults" against President Trump.
In response, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the US ambassador that "allies should respect, not lecture, each other".
In response, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the US ambassador that "allies should respect, not lecture, each other".
US cuts all contact with Polish parliamentary speaker for "insulting Trump"
notesfrompoland.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:55 PM
The US has cut all contact with the speaker of Poland's parliament because of his "outrageous insults" against President Trump.
In response, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the US ambassador that "allies should respect, not lecture, each other".
In response, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the US ambassador that "allies should respect, not lecture, each other".
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited Kyiv today for talks with Volodymyr Zelensky on the international Ukraine Recovery Conference, which Poland is hosting this year.
The pair also discussed deepening energy and defence cooperation between their countries.
The pair also discussed deepening energy and defence cooperation between their countries.
Tusk and Zelensky meet in Kyiv for talks on Poland hosting Ukraine Recovery Conference
notesfrompoland.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited Kyiv today for talks with Volodymyr Zelensky on the international Ukraine Recovery Conference, which Poland is hosting this year.
The pair also discussed deepening energy and defence cooperation between their countries.
The pair also discussed deepening energy and defence cooperation between their countries.
Poland has recorded its highest-ever daily level of gas exports amid rising demand from Ukraine.
The record came days after Poland increased export capacity to Ukraine, which has been suffering a winter energy crisis amid Russian attacks.
The record came days after Poland increased export capacity to Ukraine, which has been suffering a winter energy crisis amid Russian attacks.
Poland's gas exports hit new high on strong demand from Ukraine
notesfrompoland.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Poland has recorded its highest-ever daily level of gas exports amid rising demand from Ukraine.
The record came days after Poland increased export capacity to Ukraine, which has been suffering a winter energy crisis amid Russian attacks.
The record came days after Poland increased export capacity to Ukraine, which has been suffering a winter energy crisis amid Russian attacks.
For more on the story, see our report from Tuesday notesfrompoland.com/2026/02/03/p...
Poland detains defence ministry official accused of working with foreign intelligence
notesfrompoland.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:37 PM
For more on the story, see our report from Tuesday notesfrompoland.com/2026/02/03/p...
The defence ministry official arrested this week on suspicion of spying has now been charged with espionage and placed in pretrial detention.
A deputy minister says the suspect "appears not to have had access to top-secret information related to planning but may have had contact with it".
A deputy minister says the suspect "appears not to have had access to top-secret information related to planning but may have had contact with it".
Pracownik MON podejrzany o szpiegostwo.
Wiceminister obrony narodowej Stanisław Wziątek przekazał nowe informacje na temat pracownika resortu podejrzanego o szpiegostwo. — Pracownik MON podejrzany o szpiegostwo wykonywał proste czynności ad...
wiadomosci.onet.pl
February 5, 2026 at 1:37 PM
The defence ministry official arrested this week on suspicion of spying has now been charged with espionage and placed in pretrial detention.
A deputy minister says the suspect "appears not to have had access to top-secret information related to planning but may have had contact with it".
A deputy minister says the suspect "appears not to have had access to top-secret information related to planning but may have had contact with it".
The Auschwitz Museum will stop selling entry tickets on site from next month, with visits instead having to be booked online in advance.
It says the decision is a response to the “unethical practices” of travel firms that bring large numbers of visitors without pre-booked reservations.
It says the decision is a response to the “unethical practices” of travel firms that bring large numbers of visitors without pre-booked reservations.
Auschwitz Museum to stop selling entry tickets on-site over "unethical practices" of travel firms
notesfrompoland.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:37 PM
The Auschwitz Museum will stop selling entry tickets on site from next month, with visits instead having to be booked online in advance.
It says the decision is a response to the “unethical practices” of travel firms that bring large numbers of visitors without pre-booked reservations.
It says the decision is a response to the “unethical practices” of travel firms that bring large numbers of visitors without pre-booked reservations.
From this month, shops in Poland will have to label loose fruit and vegetables with the flag of their country of origin.
The government says this will give consumers clearer information. But an industry group warns it will raise financial and environmental costs.
The government says this will give consumers clearer information. But an industry group warns it will raise financial and environmental costs.
Poland to require retailers to add flags of origin to loose fruit and vegetables
notesfrompoland.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:53 PM
From this month, shops in Poland will have to label loose fruit and vegetables with the flag of their country of origin.
The government says this will give consumers clearer information. But an industry group warns it will raise financial and environmental costs.
The government says this will give consumers clearer information. But an industry group warns it will raise financial and environmental costs.
President Nawrocki has called a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss Poland's proposed EU defence loans, its invitation to join Donald Trump's Board of Peace, and the alleged "eastern contacts" (meaning Russian) of the speaker of parliament.
Polish president calls security meeting to discuss EU defence loans and Trump's Board of Peace
notesfrompoland.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:55 PM
President Nawrocki has called a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss Poland's proposed EU defence loans, its invitation to join Donald Trump's Board of Peace, and the alleged "eastern contacts" (meaning Russian) of the speaker of parliament.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced the creation of a special group tasked with looking into the Epstein Files.
They will seek to determine whether any of Epstein's victims were Polish, as well as if he had links to Russian intelligence.
They will seek to determine whether any of Epstein's victims were Polish, as well as if he had links to Russian intelligence.
Poland to set up body to look into Epstein files
notesfrompoland.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced the creation of a special group tasked with looking into the Epstein Files.
They will seek to determine whether any of Epstein's victims were Polish, as well as if he had links to Russian intelligence.
They will seek to determine whether any of Epstein's victims were Polish, as well as if he had links to Russian intelligence.
Poland’s defence ministry has confirmed that a “long-serving employee” was today detained on suspicion of working with foreign intelligence.
Unofficial reports indicate that he collaborated with Russian and Belarusian intelligence.
Unofficial reports indicate that he collaborated with Russian and Belarusian intelligence.
Poland detains defence ministry official accused of working with foreign intelligence
notesfrompoland.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Poland’s defence ministry has confirmed that a “long-serving employee” was today detained on suspicion of working with foreign intelligence.
Unofficial reports indicate that he collaborated with Russian and Belarusian intelligence.
Unofficial reports indicate that he collaborated with Russian and Belarusian intelligence.
Far-right leader Grzegorz Braun has risen rapidly in the polls on the back of a campaign of anti-Ukrainian and anti-Jewish rhetoric.
His surge presents particular questions and challenges for other right-wing opposition parties, writes @aleksszczerbiak.bsky.social.
His surge presents particular questions and challenges for other right-wing opposition parties, writes @aleksszczerbiak.bsky.social.
What are the prospects for Poland’s far-right politician Grzegorz Braun?
notesfrompoland.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Far-right leader Grzegorz Braun has risen rapidly in the polls on the back of a campaign of anti-Ukrainian and anti-Jewish rhetoric.
His surge presents particular questions and challenges for other right-wing opposition parties, writes @aleksszczerbiak.bsky.social.
His surge presents particular questions and challenges for other right-wing opposition parties, writes @aleksszczerbiak.bsky.social.
Over half (53%) of people aged 25-34 in Poland now live with their parents, which is the fourth-highest level in the EU.
Poland's figure rose by eight percentage points between 2018 and 2023, the second-largest increase in the EU.
Poland's figure rose by eight percentage points between 2018 and 2023, the second-largest increase in the EU.
Over half of Poles aged 25-35 live with parents
notesfrompoland.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Over half (53%) of people aged 25-34 in Poland now live with their parents, which is the fourth-highest level in the EU.
Poland's figure rose by eight percentage points between 2018 and 2023, the second-largest increase in the EU.
Poland's figure rose by eight percentage points between 2018 and 2023, the second-largest increase in the EU.
The finance ministers of Poland and Germany, who met today in Warsaw, say they will work together to "make Europe more competitive" by ensuring that the EU is "faster, smarter, and more capable of dealing with complexity".
Poland and Germany pledge to take lead on Europe's economic revival
Germany and Poland must take joint responsibility for an economic revival in Europe, the finance ministers of both countries said in Warsaw on Monday, as the continent's growth remains sluggish compar...
www.reuters.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:12 PM
The finance ministers of Poland and Germany, who met today in Warsaw, say they will work together to "make Europe more competitive" by ensuring that the EU is "faster, smarter, and more capable of dealing with complexity".
The speaker of Poland's parliament says he will not support a request from the US House speaker and speaker of Israel's Knesset to support Donald Trump's Nobel Peace Prize nomination
He says Trump is "destabilising" the international order and "often violating international law".
He says Trump is "destabilising" the international order and "often violating international law".
Donald Trump stara się o Nagrodę Nobla. Włodzimierz Czarzasty ogłosił decyzję
— Nie poprę wniosku o Nobla dla prezydenta Trumpa, bo na niego nie zasługuje — oświadczył marszałek Sejmu Włodzimierz Czarzasty. Jak stwierdził, prezydent USA prowadzi politykę transakcyjną przy użyci...
www.onet.pl
February 2, 2026 at 8:42 PM
The speaker of Poland's parliament says he will not support a request from the US House speaker and speaker of Israel's Knesset to support Donald Trump's Nobel Peace Prize nomination
He says Trump is "destabilising" the international order and "often violating international law".
He says Trump is "destabilising" the international order and "often violating international law".
The owner of a Polish hotel group that hosted an event organised by a far-right leader known for his anti-Ukrainian views has pledged to donate all proceeds to support Ukraine.
His company claims that it cannot screen clients who are booking events.
His company claims that it cannot screen clients who are booking events.
Owner of Polish hotel that hosted anti-Ukrainian far-right leader to donate proceeds to Ukraine
notesfrompoland.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:02 PM
The owner of a Polish hotel group that hosted an event organised by a far-right leader known for his anti-Ukrainian views has pledged to donate all proceeds to support Ukraine.
His company claims that it cannot screen clients who are booking events.
His company claims that it cannot screen clients who are booking events.