Łukašenka, Cichanoŭskaja express condolences over Krakow shooting

November 9, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka and his political rival Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja have extended condolences in connection with Saturday’s deadly shooting in Krakow, with the former addressing his message to “the Polish people” without mentioning its leadership.

“Belarus has met with deep sorrow the news of the terrorist attack in Kraków on November 7, the victims of which included citizens of both Poland and a number of other countries,” Łukašenka said in his message. “On behalf of the Belarusian people and myself personally, I extend words of support to the families and loved ones of the deceased, wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured, as well as sincere condolences to the entire Polish people.”

On November 9, Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Ihar Siakreta visited the Polish embassy in Minsk to sign a book of condolences.

Cichanoŭskaja, for her part, wrote that she was “profoundly shocked” and that her “thoughts are with every family that is mourning the loss of a loved one.” She said that the Belarusian share the sorrow of “our Polish friends.” In a follow-up message, Cichanoŭskaja praised the courage of Polish police officers and others who intervened and neutralized the shooter.

On November 7, 2026, a gunman opened fire in the historic Main Market Square of Kraków, Poland, killing six people and injuring over a dozen others. The suspect, a Polish national, was shot by police officers during an exchange of gunfire and later died of his injuries in the hospital.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk classified the shooting as an act of terrorism, and investigators later discovered three additional family members dead at the suspect’s home.