Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on August 14, 2026, that Polish authorities thwarted a Russian assassination plot targeting a U.S. citizen in Warsaw. The suspect, allegedly recruited by the Russian secret service, was arrested on August 7. Tusk stated that the individual was targeted for being 'inconvenient to the Putin regime.' The U.S. citizen, whose identity has not been disclosed, is of Ukrainian origin and holds both U.S. and Ukrainian passports.
Tusk emphasized that the attack was prevented through the actions of the Internal Security Agency and the police. He noted that Russia has denied targeting enemies abroad, but he warned that the Putin regime may attempt to eliminate individuals it views as adversaries. Tusk referenced a previous incident in June where a Russian artist critical of Putin was allegedly assassinated, indicating a pattern of political violence.
Additionally, Tusk mentioned a recent incident where a Russian missile intended for Ukraine struck Polish territory, marking a significant escalation in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Polish leaders have expressed mixed responses to the missile incident, with Tusk suggesting it was allowed to reach Polish airspace intentionally, while Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz described it as a serious challenge for Poland's air defense systems.