Agnieszka Lipińska, head of the Disinformation Analysis Center at NASK in Poland, noted a significant spike in false and misleading claims in the latter half of 2025, primarily linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine. External actors, particularly from Russia and Belarus, aimed to sway public opinion in Ukraine-supporting countries through cyber warfare and disinformation.
Key developments included:
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Drone Claims: After drones reportedly breached Polish airspace, misinformation suggested Ukraine was attempting to pull Poland into the conflict, despite evidence indicating feasible drone modifications for longer ranges.
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Railway Sabotage: Following two sabotage incidents on Polish railways, disinformation sought to blame Ukraine, undermining faith in Polish security services. Narratives framed the incidents as actions by “partisan” groups opposing Western alliances.
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Election Disinformation: With Poland’s 2025 presidential elections approaching, reports indicated Kremlin interest in destabilizing democratic processes through targeted disinformation, prompting government monitoring under the “Election Umbrella” program.
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Energy Sector Misinformation: Authorities highlighted that millions encountered false information regarding energy, exacerbating public distrust regarding Poland’s energy transition.
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Anti-Ukrainian Sentiment: There was a sustained campaign against Ukrainian migrants in Poland, orchestrated by Russian operations seeking to damage Polish-Ukrainian emotional ties.
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Health-Related Disinformation: Misinformation related to health issues, particularly around vaccines, notably increased during typical vaccination periods.
Warning of future disinformation growth, Lipińska emphasized the risk of AI-generated fake content unless the EU’s Digital Services Act is effectively implemented. Polish authorities continuously monitor online spaces for disinformation, urging the public to verify information before sharing and report suspicious content.
