July : Thousands in Poland mourn assassination of President Lech Kaczynski . Plane was approaching the airport at Smolensk , Russia , believed to have hit Warsaw . 97 people confirmed killed according to Russian emergency services . The event was to be a milestone in the easing of relations between Russia and Poland , strained for decades over Poland 's close relationship to the United States and because of lingering ill will over Russia 's campaign against the Poles in the 1940s . ` ` Entire top military brass '' appears to have died in action , says one political observer .
July : Thousands in Poland mourn assassination of President Lech Kaczynski . Plane was approaching the airport at Smolensk , Russia , believed to have hit Warsaw . 97 people confirmed killed according to Russian emergency services . ` ` Entire top military brass '' appears to have died in action , says one political observer .