Polish Social Media Flooded with Disinformation About Rail Sabotage, Report Finds

A report published Monday revealed widespread criticism of Polish authorities’ response to recent railway sabotage incidents, with social media analysis showing deepening public distrust and the spread of unsubstantiated claims about responsibility for the attacks.

According to the analysis from the NASK National Research Institute, more than half of social media comments (54 percent) condemned authorities for their slow response and inadequate communication during the crisis. Another 26 percent of users attributed the incidents to general negligence by officials.

The report highlighted concerning trends in public discourse surrounding the railway sabotage. Approximately 18 percent of posts adopted dismissive or sarcastic tones regarding the threat, potentially undermining the seriousness of the security situation. More troubling was the finding that over 15 percent of users speculated, without evidence, that Ukraine was responsible for the sabotage. Only 10 percent of comments suggested Russian involvement, despite official statements later confirming Russian intelligence connections.

Security experts have expressed alarm about these information patterns, warning that both foreign and domestic actors are actively working to spread misleading narratives designed to erode public trust in Polish institutions.

“We’re seeing two dominant false narratives emerging,” explained Michał Marek of the NASK National Research Institute. “One frames the incident as a Ukrainian provocation, while another portrays it as proof of Polish security services’ incompetence. Both narratives ultimately weaken Poland’s position and internal cohesion.”

The railway sabotage represents one of the most significant infrastructure attacks in Poland in recent years, targeting critical transportation networks. The incidents have raised concerns about vulnerability in Poland’s infrastructure security, particularly given the country’s strategic position as a NATO member and key supporter of Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.

NASK analysts have urged the public to rely exclusively on official government and security service statements regarding the incidents. They emphasized the importance of verifying information before sharing it online, as misinformation can exacerbate public anxiety and hamper response efforts.

“This is a classic example of hybrid warfare,” Marek noted. “The physical threat is real, but there’s also an information component designed to sow confusion and discord. There’s no reason for panic, but people should stay calm and exercise common sense when consuming information about these events.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed the situation on Tuesday, confirming that the main suspects in the railway sabotage were Ukrainian nationals operating on behalf of Russian intelligence services. This revelation supports long-standing concerns about Russian hybrid operations targeting NATO’s eastern flank.

The incident occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the region, with Poland serving as a crucial logistics hub for Western military aid to Ukraine. Security analysts suggest the railway sabotage may represent an attempt to disrupt these supply lines while simultaneously creating friction between Poland and Ukraine.

The Polish government has reinforced security around critical infrastructure sites in response to the attacks. Officials have also announced plans to enhance cyber defense capabilities and public communication strategies during security incidents.

This case illustrates the complex nature of modern security threats, where physical attacks are often accompanied by sophisticated information operations designed to amplify their impact. As investigations continue, Polish authorities face the dual challenge of apprehending those responsible while countering harmful narratives that could undermine public trust in state institutions.

The NASK report serves as a reminder of the growing importance of media literacy and critical information consumption in democratic societies facing hybrid threats. Security experts emphasize that maintaining public confidence in legitimate institutions remains crucial for national resilience against such complex attacks.