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Polish authorities have uncovered a coordinated disinformation campaign falsely claiming that Polish soldiers are dying en masse in Ukraine, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.
The fabricated narratives have been spreading through Telegram channels and other social media platforms, deliberately designed to manipulate public opinion and undermine Polish support for Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
At the center of this disinformation effort is Tomasz Schmidt, a former Polish judge who is currently wanted on espionage charges for allegedly spying for Belarus. Schmidt, who has since obtained Belarusian citizenship, published inflammatory Facebook posts featuring images of coffins with the false claim that “hundreds of bodies have arrived in Poland” and that NATO forces suffered heavy casualties in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region.
“This information is entirely fictitious,” stated the disinformation center in its report. “Poland has not deployed any servicemen to participate in hostilities on Ukrainian territory, and these alleged ‘mass deaths’ are purely information warfare.”
Digital forensic analysis of the images used in Schmidt’s posts revealed clear evidence of manipulation. The first image was determined to be AI-generated, confirmed through verification tools designed to detect synthetic media. The second photo, while authentic, was misappropriated from a 2011 event documenting the repatriation of Polish soldiers killed in Afghanistan – completely unrelated to the current conflict in Ukraine.
The targeting of Poland with such fabricated content is not coincidental. As one of Ukraine’s strongest European allies, Poland has provided significant military, humanitarian and diplomatic support since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The country has also welcomed the largest number of Ukrainian refugees of any nation.
Security experts note that this campaign represents a classic example of hostile information operations designed to sow discord between allies. By fabricating stories about Polish casualties, the perpetrators aim to generate fear among the Polish public and create political pressure to reduce support for Ukraine.
“The strategic objective is clear,” said a Warsaw-based security analyst who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of their work. “Create a narrative that supporting Ukraine comes at too high a cost for ordinary Poles, driving a wedge between the two countries when unity is most critical.”
The Center for Countering Disinformation has indicated that January saw a marked increase in such disinformation campaigns targeting Poland, with multiple narratives aimed at undermining regional support for Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in particular.
Ukrainian authorities are taking the matter seriously, noting that such disinformation activities may constitute criminal offenses under Ukrainian law, including Article 345 (“Threat or violence against a law enforcement officer”) and Article 194 (“Deliberate destruction or damage of property”) of the Ukrainian Criminal Code. The center has referred these cases to Ukraine’s National Police for investigation.
This incident highlights the increasingly sophisticated nature of information warfare in the digital age, where fabricated content, misappropriated imagery, and AI-generated media can be deployed to manipulate public sentiment and potentially influence national security policies.
Polish and Ukrainian officials continue to cooperate on countering such information threats, recognizing that maintaining information integrity is as crucial as physical border security in the current geopolitical environment. Media literacy experts encourage citizens to verify information through multiple reliable sources, particularly when encountering emotionally charged content about the war.
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14 Comments
Fabricating stories about Polish soldiers dying in Ukraine is a shameful attempt to manipulate public opinion. I’m glad the authorities were able to quickly refute these lies and expose the individuals responsible for this disinformation campaign.
This case highlights the importance of verifying information, especially when it comes to sensitive geopolitical issues. I commend the disinformation center for their swift action in debunking these false claims and holding the perpetrators accountable.
Absolutely. Fact-checking and digital forensics are essential tools in the fight against the spread of misinformation. It’s crucial that we remain vigilant and call out such blatant attempts to mislead the public.
While I’m relieved to hear that the Polish military death claims in Ukraine were proven false, it’s concerning to see the lengths that some will go to manipulate public opinion through disinformation. We must remain vigilant against these tactics.
The fabrication of stories about Polish military deaths in Ukraine is a reprehensible tactic that undermines public trust and solidarity with Ukraine. I’m grateful the disinformation center was able to quickly and decisively debunk these false claims.
This disinformation campaign seems like a blatant attempt to undermine Poland’s support for Ukraine. I’m glad the authorities were able to expose these fabricated claims as entirely false. It’s crucial that we stay vigilant against such malicious propaganda.
Absolutely. Spreading false narratives about military deaths is a despicable tactic to sow discord and weaken solidarity with Ukraine. Good on the disinformation center for swiftly debunking these lies.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and critical thinking when it comes to online information. I’m glad the authorities were able to expose this coordinated disinformation campaign and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Absolutely. Maintaining a well-informed public is crucial, especially in times of conflict and geopolitical tension. Fact-checking and digital forensics are essential tools in the fight against the spread of misinformation.
It’s disheartening to see how easily false information can spread, especially when it involves sensitive military and geopolitical issues. I applaud the disinformation center for their thorough investigation and for swiftly debunking these lies.
This case highlights the ongoing threat of coordinated disinformation campaigns, even in the face of clear evidence to the contrary. I’m glad the authorities were able to quickly identify and expose these fabricated narratives for what they are.
Agreed. Maintaining public trust and countering malicious propaganda requires a multi-faceted approach, including robust fact-checking, digital forensics, and transparent communication. This is a critical battle in the information age.
It’s concerning to see how easily misinformation can spread online, especially when it involves sensitive issues like military casualties. I appreciate the detailed investigation that uncovered the coordinated disinformation effort behind these false claims.
Agreed. Digital forensics play a vital role in identifying the sources and patterns of online disinformation. Transparency around these tactics is crucial to maintaining public trust and countering malicious propaganda.