Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says Poland thwarted a Russian plan to kill a Ukrainian American citizen in Warsaw, in what he described as the first such attempt against a US citizen on the territory of another NATO country.
Key facts
- Poland's PM Donald Tusk said a Russian plot to kill a Ukrainian American in Warsaw was thwarted before it could be carried out.
- Tusk said it was the first time 'someone on the order of Russia' had sought to attack a US citizen in a NATO country.
- The target was a Ukrainian American citizen based in Warsaw.
- The claim was reported by the Guardian on 13 August 2026.
A Russian plan to kill a Ukrainian American citizen in Warsaw was thwarted by Poland before it could be carried out, according to the country’s prime minister, Donald Tusk.
Tusk said it was the first time that “someone on the order of Russia” had sought to attack a US citizen on the territory of another NATO country, according to the Guardian.
The prime minister framed the alleged plot as a significant escalation, given that the target was a US citizen and the attempt took place within a NATO member state.
Poland has positioned itself as a frontline NATO country in relation to the war in Ukraine, and Tusk’s statement adds to a series of security concerns raised by officials in the region.
Beyond Tusk’s account, further specific details about the target, the alleged perpetrators and the exact nature of the plot were not provided in the reporting available.
The Guardian published the account on 13 August 2026, attributing the claim directly to Tusk.
Why it matters
An alleged Russian-ordered plot to kill a US citizen inside a NATO country would mark a notable escalation in tensions between Russia and the Western alliance. Such an incident raises questions about security within NATO borders and the safety of individuals linked to Ukraine.
Frequently asked questions
Who said the plot was thwarted?
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland stopped the plot before it could be carried out.
Why did Tusk describe this as unprecedented?
Tusk said it was the first time that 'someone on the order of Russia' had sought to attack a US citizen on the territory of another NATO country.
Who was the intended target?
According to the reporting, the target was a Ukrainian American citizen in Warsaw. Further identifying details were not provided in the available sources.