Polish TikToker under investigation for alleged role in Russian army

The District Prosecutor's Office in Kraków has announced the launch of an investigation, which is being handled by the 8th Military Division of the Prosecutor's Office.

According to the spokesperson for the Prosecutor's Office, Oliwia Bożek-Michalec, the investigation concerns suspected involvement in the activities of a foreign intelligence service and acting in its interests by spreading disinformation via TikTok.

Investigators believe that the disinformation was disseminated on TikTok and may have misled social media users, potentially aiming to "cause significant disruption to the political system of the Republic of Poland."

The individual behind these actions is believed to be a former Polish soldier currently residing in Russia. Among other things, he claims to have joined the Russian army. His first video was posted on April 14, and he has since been regularly publishing new content, which is gaining increasing popularity.

The exact details of his service in the Russian army remain unknown. He claims to have served on the Zaporizhzhia–Donbas front, most likely near the village of Velyka Novosilka.

Foreign mercenaries in the war against Ukraine

Mercenaries from at least 48 countries are fighting on Russia's side in the war against Ukraine. Russian media have identified 1,500 of them.

Among those fighting for the Russian army are dozens of European Union citizens. Nationals from the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Italy, and Austria have also traveled to join Russian forces.

In addition, Russian media recently identified 51 Chinese soldiers who signed contracts with the Russian army. They reportedly flew to Moscow for this specific purpose.

It became known that Chinese citizens were fighting on the Russian side in Ukraine as early as April 8, when Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese nationals in Donetsk Oblast.