Polish prosecutors have charged a man accused of acting on behalf of Russian intelligence to spread propaganda aimed at inflaming tensions between Poles and Ukrainians, in what authorities described as part of a broader campaign of foreign interference.
The suspect, identified only under Polish privacy laws, allegedly received payment from individuals linked to Russian intelligence services in exchange for carrying out activities intended to undermine relations between Poland and Ukraine. Prosecutors said the campaign involved distributing propaganda materials and promoting narratives designed to fuel hostility and social division.
Authorities said the accused was arrested during an investigation conducted by Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW). If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence on charges related to espionage and acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service.
Polish officials said the alleged operation forms part of wider Russian hybrid activities targeting European countries through disinformation, sabotage and influence campaigns. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Warsaw has repeatedly warned of attempts to weaken public support for Ukraine and destabilise Poland’s internal security.
The Kremlin has consistently denied accusations that Russia conducts covert operations or disinformation campaigns in European countries, dismissing such claims as politically motivated.
Poland has become one of Ukraine’s strongest allies, providing military, humanitarian and political support while hosting millions of Ukrainian refugees since the start of the war. Officials say protecting social cohesion and countering foreign interference remain national security priorities as regional tensions persist.
The investigation remains ongoing, and prosecutors said additional charges or arrests could follow as authorities continue examining suspected foreign influence networks operating within Poland.
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