Poland accuses Russia of interfering in presidential election
Photo: Krzysztof Gawkowski (Getty Images)
Deputy Prime Minister of Poland and Minister of Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, says his country is facing an unprecedented attempt by Russia to interfere in the presidential election, Reuters reports.
According to him, after Poland took on the role of a logistics hub for assistance to Ukraine, it became a key target for Russian cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.
"During the current presidential elections in Poland, we are facing an unprecedented attempt to interfere in the electoral process from the Russian side," Gawkowski said.
He adds that "this is being done... (by) spreading disinformation in combination with hybrid attacks on Polish critical infrastructure in order to paralyse the normal functioning of the state."
The attacks targeted water utilities, thermal power plants, energy supply facilities, and public administration bodies. The level of the Russian cyber threat in Poland has more than doubled compared to last year.
"Today in Poland, during every minute of my speech, a dozen or so incidents targeting critical infrastructure were recorded," the minister added.
Poland's assistance to Ukraine and elections
In early April, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski was asked whether Warsaw's position on sending troops to Ukraine might change after the presidential election. Sikorski answered negatively, noting that such a move could be used by Russian propaganda.
Disinformation about the presidential election scheduled for May 18 is being spread in the English-language segment of the Polish Internet. The fakes are allegedly written on behalf of CNN.
Russia is constantly trying to destabilize public opinion with the help of information injections, fakes, etc. Read about Russia's plans for 2025 regarding disinformation in the column by Andrii Tkachuk, an officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and political scientist, for RBC-Ukraine.
