Brig. Gen. Jarosław Stróżyk, head of Poland’s Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW), told Polish Press Agency (PAP) that the accusations from Russia’s FSB and Foreign Intelligence Service (SWR) were fabricated narratives aimed at domestic audiences.
“This is a classic case of disinformation,” Stróżyk said, responding to recent Russian media reports accusing Polish intelligence of helping recruit the attacker in a failed assassination attempt on Russian military intelligence (GRU) deputy chief, Vladimir Alexeyev.
The SWR also alleged that Western countries, including Poland, are actively working to undermine Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko’s regime and force political change.
“These messages appear whenever the opportunity arises,” Stróżyk said, adding they serve to portray Russia and Belarus as under constant pressure from NATO and the West. “They are primarily created for internal use.”
He expressed concern that “such rhetoric finds its way into respected outlets like Reuters,” calling it “at least troubling.”
Stróżyk emphasized that all actions by Polish intelligence services are conducted lawfully and under political directives approved by the government and the president.
Asked how to counter growing Russian propaganda, Stróżyk said, “There’s no single effective method,” but argued that confronting and exposing disinformation is more effective than ignoring it. He suggested that intelligence services take a more active role by releasing public reports outlining disinformation tactics.
He referenced a 2024–2025 report by a Polish commission on Russian and Belarusian influence that highlighted recurring Kremlin propaganda themes, including depicting NATO and the EU as oppressive colonial powers. The report also noted a lack of systemic countermeasures in Poland and recommended stronger coordination between the state and media.
Stróżyk said Russia spends an estimated USD 2–4 billion annually on influence operations, including cheap mass dissemination of propaganda through social media. “This threat has existed for years,” he warned.
(jh)
Source: Polish Radio