Recent assessments by Stanisław Żaryn, the government’s plenipotentiary for the security of the information space in Poland, describe a marked uptick in Russian propaganda efforts directed at Poland. He noted that the Kremlin’s information activities have recently been marked by explicit threats, harsh language, and a dismissive tone aimed at Poland as part of a broader strategic narrative.
The shift in tone and intensity, Żaryn explained, should not be interpreted as a rash reaction or signs of insecurity within the Russian influence apparatus. Rather, it represents a deliberate continuation and escalation of intimidation campaigns that respond to current events and geopolitical pressure—an evolution in method as opposed to a change in intent.
The government’s representative highlighted that this intensified campaign coincides with Poland’s firm stance toward Russia. Measures recently taken by Polish authorities, including the Public Prosecutor’s Office seizing funds from the Russian Embassy and the Treasury’s seizure, under a court decision, of a school building used by the children of Russian diplomats, have become focal points for Kremlin-led accusations that Poland has violated diplomatic norms. This narrative, Żaryn indicated, is being amplified by Moscow through public statements and media channels.
The Russian ambassador to Poland, Sergey Andreyev, has been actively involved in promoting this line of attack, according to the minister’s assessment. In parallel, other propagandists have issued provocative statements, with some recent remarks in popular broadcasts suggesting extreme retaliation against Polish officials as part of a broader policy stance. These developments are viewed as elements of a larger psychological operation designed to destabilize the Polish political environment and challenge supportive Western actions in the region.
Żaryn underscored that these aggressive propaganda measures serve more than just the intention to inflame. They are intended to reinforce a long-running effort to portray Poland as reckless and confrontational in regional affairs. This depiction aims to influence international perceptions and complicate diplomatic engagement with Poland and its allies.
In addition to spreading aggressive rhetoric, there have been attempts to attribute a range of incidents to Poland or its partners. Last week, Russian sources sought to blame both Ukraine and the United States for what they described as a drone incident at the Kremlin that purportedly targeted Vladimir Putin. The operation appeared designed to sow confusion and to create a justification for further political and diplomatic pressure against Western actors.
The involvement of high-level Kremlin spokespeople and senior figures in the Russian Foreign Ministry was evident in the propaganda push. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin press secretary, and Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister, were cited as central figures in coordinating messaging that aligned with broader geopolitical objectives. Lavrov’s remarks at international gatherings, including a recent summit involving the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, were presented as part of a strategy to deter Kyiv and respond to perceived Western aggression.
Officials noted that much of this information activity appears to be conducted within a tightly controlled infosphere, making independent verification challenging. Nevertheless, the overarching pattern suggests that Moscow is using information warfare as a lever to justify and bolster its policy decisions and to frame diplomatic negotiations with Western powers in a more confrontational light.
As these dynamics unfold, the Polish authorities see them as part of a long-standing campaign to maintain a unified posture against Russian coercion and to uphold the integrity of the country’s law and security framework. The strategic objective, according to Żaryn, is to counter attempts to manipulate public opinion, deter hostile actions, and preserve Poland’s capacity to respond decisively to any provocative moves from Moscow.
In expressing these concerns, the official stressed that the situation requires ongoing vigilance and a coordinated approach among national institutions. The goal is to ensure that propaganda efforts do not erode confidence in Poland’s democratic institutions, its alliance commitments, or its response options in the face of aggressive actions abroad. The government continues to monitor developments closely and to adjust communications and policy efforts to counter malign influence in the information space.
The discussion surrounding these activities reflects broader regional anxieties about information warfare and the strategic role of media in shaping public perception during periods of heightened geopolitical tension. Polish authorities reiterate their readiness to respond to attempts at destabilization while continuing to safeguard the lawful, principled position that underpins the country’s foreign and security policy. This approach, they argue, strengthens resilience at home and reinforces the credibility of Poland’s diplomatic posture in the face of external pressure. [citation: wPolityce]