The aim of the article is to show the evolution of structural divisions within Polish elites from the perspective of changes in Polish-Russian relations after 1989. In order to describe the formation of the Polish space of opinion on the topic, the author interprets the unexpected marginalization of the famous Russian expert Andrzej Drawicz (1939–1997) in the Third Polish Republic. The article contributes to an understanding of the dynamics shaping Polish debates about Russia, and also – by tracing Drawicz’s career trajectory – presents a model of biographical analysis that allows the social dimension to be taken into account.