In the fourth episode of the program Poisons of the Kremlin on wPolsce.pl, the discussion focused on Russian interference in parliamentary elections along the Vistula. The host, Jakub Maciejewski, outlined four methods used to sway Polish voters: hacking and data leaks, internet trolls, false leads, and backing certain political figures.
Maciejewski cited the whistleblower who has spoken about Russian manipulation on the European stage, the Canadian computer scientist Christopher Wylie. He recalled Wylie’s testimony to the European Parliament, which described early experiments with voters:
In 2015, AIQ reportedly received videos from Cambridge Analytica for distribution in Nigeria as part of a campaign to suppress electoral turnout. The material depicted people subjected to graphic violence, with victims restrained as their limbs were cut and throats were slit. In 2016, AIQ, the same company, was said to have received a sizable portion of funds aimed at boosting turnout during the Brexit referendum. Much of this funding was linked to Facebook targeting strategies.
An example of an internet troll referenced was the Twitter account of John Davis, who drew sympathy from American voters in 2016 and generated content allegedly crafted by Russian disinformation operations.
Maciejewski highlighted statements attributed to Grzegorz Rzeczkowski and Tomasz Piątek as false leads, designed to distract from the broader issue of genuine Russian influence. The revelations, supported by figures such as Nina Jankowicz, a U.S. expert on disinformation, and Tomasz Lis, were met with skepticism by some audiences.
The program also showcased excerpts from a lecture by Mateusz Mrozek of the Ossendowski Institute under the NASK Research Institute, which discussed content meant to inflame Poland’s right-wing voters. The presenter explained the activities of the Gorchakov Foundation and identified Polish politicians who participated in training Moscow and Saint Petersburg activists.
The piece invites viewers to draw their own conclusions by watching the full program and assessing the presented material directly. [citation: wPolityce]
VIEW THE PROGRAM:[citation: wPolityce]
Source: wPolityce