Russia ramps up online disinformation in Poland amid Poland-Ukraine WWII controversy
Polish officials say Russia has intensified a disinformation push on Polish social media, exploiting a dispute over World War II massacres to stir anti-Ukrainian sentiment ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to Polish authorities, Russia has markedly escalated its online propaganda effort in Poland, targeting the heated Poland-Ukraine disagreement over the Volhynia World War II massacres. The controversy flared when President Volodymyr Zelenskiy named a military unit after the insurgents responsible for the killings, prompting President Karol Nawrocki to withdraw a Polish honor from Zelenskiy. Deputy digital minister Pawel Olszewski said Russian disinformation exploded on social and state-run Russian channels, later echoed by Polish media.
The state-funded Polish Institute of International Affairs documented a more than 250% jump in anti-Ukrainian posts on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, many appearing to be bot-driven. The messaging focuses on inflaming the dispute rather than spreading outright falsehoods, a tactic that analysts say is harder to counter. Polls show a drop in Polish support for Ukrainian refugees and military aid, trends that could shape the 2027 parliamentary elections, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called for an end to xenophobic attacks.
Why it matters
The campaign could sway Polish public opinion and influence upcoming elections, affecting Ukraine's support in a key NATO ally.
How this story developed
- Aug 13 Poland arrests Russian operative accused of plotting murder of U.S. citizen in Warsaw
- Aug 13 The Russian embassy in Warsaw did not respond to requests for comment.
- Aug 14 Moscow court sentenced Georgy Pirogov to 23 years for spying for Poland.
In this story
Related stories
2 in this thread