Warsaw Garrison explains why sentries saluted as Rodacy Kamraci laid a wreath

On Sunday, footage filmed on Saturday appeared online showing representatives of the ultranationalist movement Rodacy Kamraci, led by Wojciech Olszański, alias “Jaszczur”, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw. It sparked a wave of criticism and questions for the army.

The Warsaw Garrison Command (Dowództwo Garnizonu Warszawa) said on Monday on platform X that the movement had given no advance notice of its intention to lay a wreath, that the guard does not check the identity of those laying wreaths, and that the “present arms” stance is strictly tied to the act itself and expresses respect for the fallen, not for whoever lays the wreath. No permission is required to lay a wreath, but it “must always take place with full respect for the dignity, solemnity and veneration of national remembrance”.

According to the command, the Ministry of National Defence (MON) is reviewing the ceremonial: sentries would salute only when flowers are laid during official ceremonies, not during individual or spontaneous acts by outsiders. Rodacy Kamraci is described in Polish media as neo-fascist and pro-Russian; its party was registered in June 2023 and deregistered at the end of 2024, and hate-crime cases were brought against Olszański in various regions.