Russia is fueling divisions between Ukraine and Poland, intelligence warns
Photo: Russian FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov (Getty Images)
Russian intelligence services are preparing a new information campaign centered on the Volyn tragedy. Its goal is to increase tensions between Ukraine and Poland, according to Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) under Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.
According to Kovalenko, Russian FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov is overseeing information operations aimed at driving a wedge between Poland and Ukraine.
As part of the campaign, FSB operatives plan to publish forged documents on July 5 related to World War II and the Volyn tragedy.
According to Russian intelligence's plan, these materials are intended to trigger a new wave of disputes between Ukrainians and Poles. Russian state media have reportedly been tasked with disseminating the disinformation.
The Center for Countering Disinformation also pointed to increased activity by Russian bot farms in Poland. They have been spreading manipulative content, speculation, and emotionally charged messages surrounding sensitive chapters of the shared history of the two nations.
Polish Minister-Coordinator of Special Services Tomasz Siemoniak previously said that Russia uses troll farms, bot networks, and other information warfare tools to spread manipulation surrounding historical disputes between Poles and Ukrainians.
Through these efforts, the Kremlin seeks to create emotionally charged information triggers, fuel polarization, and deepen mutual distrust between Ukrainian and Polish societies.
The Center for Countering Disinformation noted that Russia has spent years laying the groundwork for stoking tensions between Poland and Ukraine. To achieve this, the Kremlin exploits historical grievances and other sensitive social issues that can create additional tensions across Europe.
As previously reported, Ukraine and Poland have recently sought to ease tensions over sensitive historical issues.
During a meeting in Warsaw, Foreign Ministers Andrii Sybiha and Radosław Sikorski discussed a number of confidence-building measures, including consultations between diplomats, meetings between historians, and dialogue involving religious leaders.
Kyiv has also announced that it has lifted the block on exhumations and is prepared to continue issuing permits for search and recovery operations.
