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Poland has issued an arrest warrant for a former Polish soldier accused of joining the Russian army and spreading disinformation through TikTok on behalf of Russian intelligence services, prosecutors announced Thursday.
The district prosecutor’s office in Kraków, working with Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW), has charged the man with participating in foreign intelligence activities and serving in a foreign military. The suspect faces up to eight years imprisonment for intelligence activities and an additional five years for joining a foreign army.
According to the prosecutors, the former soldier is “currently probably staying in the territory of Russia,” making his arrest and prosecution unlikely in the near term.
Polish media outlets, including fact-checking service Demagog and newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, have identified the man as Dariusz M., whose full surname is withheld under Polish privacy laws. He reportedly served previously in the 6th Logistics Battalion and 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment of the Polish armed forces before joining Russian forces in 2023.
The suspect operates a TikTok account called “PolaknaDonbasie” (A Pole in Donbas) with approximately 7,100 followers and over 470 videos posted since September 2025. The most recent video appeared just this Wednesday. Previous accounts run by the same individual reportedly attracted larger followings before being removed by TikTok for violating platform policies.
In his social media content, Dariusz M. has made inflammatory statements, including expressing hope that Russia’s “special operation” in Ukraine would “reach Poland and put things in order.” He has referred to the European Union as the “Fourth Reich” and condemned what he calls Poland’s “traitorous government.”
Security experts are particularly concerned about the suspect’s attempts to recruit Polish citizens to join Russian forces and his requests for followers to photograph military transports moving through Poland to Ukraine. Some of his earlier videos reportedly garnered millions of views before being removed.
This case represents part of a broader pattern of Russian intelligence activities targeting Poland. In recent years, Polish authorities have detained, charged and convicted dozens of suspected agents accused of conducting espionage, sabotage, disinformation and other hybrid warfare operations on behalf of Russia.
Just earlier this month, Polish prosecutors indicted five people – four Ukrainian citizens and one Russian – accused of planting explosives in packages that were then dispatched across Europe by courier services as part of a Russian sabotage operation.
This case also bears similarities to a 2021 incident involving Emil Czeczko, an active Polish soldier who crossed the border to Belarus, claimed asylum, and appeared on Belarusian state television making unsubstantiated accusations against Poland. Belarusian authorities announced in 2022 that Czeczko had been found dead by hanging in his home.
The rise of social media has created new opportunities for foreign intelligence services to conduct influence operations and spread disinformation. TikTok, with its algorithm-driven content delivery and ability to reach millions of users quickly, has become an increasingly important platform for such activities.
Polish security services continue to monitor social media platforms for signs of foreign influence operations, particularly as tensions remain high in the region due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and deteriorating relations between NATO countries and Russia.
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8 Comments
I’m curious to learn more about the suspect’s motivations and the extent of his involvement with Russian intelligence. Defection and disinformation campaigns can have far-reaching consequences.
This case highlights the ongoing threat of disinformation and the need for vigilance, especially from former military personnel. I hope the authorities are able to locate and apprehend the suspect to hold them accountable.
This is a concerning development. Defection to a foreign power and spreading disinformation is a serious breach of trust. Poland is right to investigate this thoroughly and pursue prosecution if the charges are valid.
It’s disappointing to see a Polish soldier allegedly turn traitor and align with Russia’s propaganda efforts. This will likely further strain relations between Poland and Russia, which are already tense due to the war in Ukraine.
Agreed. Poland must take a firm stance against such actions to protect its national security interests and uphold the integrity of its armed forces.
It’s troubling to see a Polish soldier allegedly turn against his own country. This case demonstrates the ongoing challenges in combating foreign influence operations and the importance of military discipline and loyalty.
If the allegations are true, this soldier’s actions are a betrayal of his country and his fellow Poles. Poland must send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
This is a concerning development that underscores the risks of insider threats and the need for robust counterintelligence measures, even among allies. Poland must take decisive action to address this case.