Russia Is Conducting Disinformation Campaigns Targeting Poland’s Floods

Russia has launched an information and psychological operation in Poland in connection with the floods in the southwest of the country.

This was reported by Poland's Cyber Defense Forces on the social network X.

"Due to the floods in southwestern Poland, we are dealing with an information and psychological operation, for which the Russian Federation is responsible. The influence apparatus is using selective information collection techniques in cyberspace and aims to provoke emotions of fear and helplessness among recipients. One element of the operation is an attempt to undermine trust in the country's security structures," the statement said.

Polish cyber forces urged residents to verify information sources and be cautious of content designed to provoke a strong emotional reaction, particularly through images of suffering and destruction.

Recently, a number of pro-Russian sources spread a fake news story claiming that evacuees from the floods in Poland had nowhere to stay because "all the places were occupied by Ukrainians." Propagandists cited as an example a post allegedly from a Polish woman named Dagmara Malinowska, who supposedly tried to evacuate with her child to a hotel but was allegedly refused. However, as journalists from StopFake discovered, the post was fabricated by Russian propagandists.

Earlier this month, the Polish General Staff launched a social media campaign to show Polish citizens how not to fall victim to Russian manipulation. Posts addressing the issue of Russian disinformation appear on the Polish General Staff’s X account every Monday.

Central and Eastern Europe are experiencing severe floods that have already resulted in the deaths of at least 23 people. Heavy rainfall led to swollen rivers, forcing local authorities to issue evacuation orders in the most severely impacted areas. Flooding in southwestern Poland has caused significant damage, displacing residents and affecting infrastructure in several regions.