On Thursday, a somber commemoration was held in Smolensk, Russia, to mark the 15th anniversary of the tragic plane crash that took the lives of Polish President Lech Kaczyski and 95 other individuals. During the ceremony, Poland's ambassador to Russia, Krzysztof Krajewski, reported that a small group of protesters attempted to disrupt the event. These demonstrators held up banners and shouted anti-Polish slogans, casting a shadow over the remembrance of this significant day.

In an interview with RMF FM radio, Ambassador Krajewski recounted the protesters' actions, stating, They questioned everything, including the war in Ukraine. I heard slogans that were already familiar to me, that Poland is a sponsor of terrorism, that we are falsifying history. This defiant display occurred in the very location where, on April 10, 2010, the ill-fated flight carrying the Polish delegation crashed, leading to one of the darkest chapters in Poland's post-war history.

The plane crash is often regarded as a national tragedy that has deepened mistrust toward Russia among the Polish populace. Following the incident, initial gestures from Russian President Vladimir Putin sparked hopes for improved relations between the two nations. However, those hopes were quickly dashed when Russia's refusal to return the wreckage of the plane to Poland became apparent, heightening fears of Russian aggression in the region and deepening existing rifts.

In Poland, various memorial events were held, reflecting on the lives lost and the impact of the tragedy on the nation. Prominent figures such as Jarosaw Kaczyski, the surviving twin of the late president and the leader of the main opposition party, Law and Justice, participated in these observances. Kaczyski, whose influence remains significant in Poland's political landscape, continues to advocate for the memory of his brother and the victims.

The disastrous flight was en route to Smolensk to commemorate the Katyn massacres, where approximately 22,000 Polish officers were killed by the Soviet secret police during World War II. Among those who perished in the crash were military leaders, senior members of the clergy, and lawmakers, totaling 96 individuals. The Polish investigation that followed concluded that the crash was an accident caused by pilot error compounded by poor visibility due to heavy fog.

However, Jarosaw Kaczyski has persistently suggested that there was foul play involved, claiming collusion between his political rival, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Putin to eliminate his brother from the political sphere. Despite years of investigations that did not substantiate these claims, many Poles accuse Kaczyski of perpetuating dangerous conspiracy theories. In a recent interview with the Super Express tabloid, he reiterated his beliefs, stating that he is convinced of an assassination attempt organized by those for whom this plan was detrimental.

In response to the ongoing divide, Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the need for reconciliation among Poles. He took to social media platform X to express his hope that the memory of the Smolensk disaster and its victims should no longer divide us. He urged for the rebuilding of community ties and mutual respect, acknowledging the challenge but emphasizing its necessity.