Russian Media Capitalizes on Polish Farmer Protests to Spread Anti-Ukrainian Disinformation
The Russian media is engaged in a coordinated effort to manipulate public opinion by targeting Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish audiences through disinformation campaigns. According to the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), the Russian media is amplifying Polish farmers’ grievances and spreading false narratives to incite anti-Ukrainian sentiment among Polish citizens. The protests that began on February 9, 2024, were sparked by EU climate policies and Ukrainian grain imports. Ongoing Russian information warfare have since exploited these local grievances to achieve broader geopolitical objectives. The disinformation campaign already extends beyond traditional media, as social media sources have been central to crafting misleading narratives that portray Poland as a betrayer of Ukraine. In particular, targeted advertisements and questionable Facebook pages have been used to spread anti-Ukraine and anti-EU sentiments. Telegram channels have been set up to accuse the Ukrainian government of mishandling relations with Poland and Polish-language websites have also been used to spread fear about Ukrainian goods. Pro-Kremlin media outlets portray Poland as having opened a “second front” against Ukraine, implying that Poland has renounced its support for Ukraine and even alleging that Ukrainian agricultural products pose health risks to Polish citizens.
Russia’s utilization of advanced tactics in its information warfare is not new. Over the years, Russia has persistently engaged in various strategies to manipulate local and international public opinion through disinformation campaigns, social media, cyber operations, and state-controlled media. Similarly, Kremlin’s intent in this situation demonstrates a strategic spread of disinformation with the intent to sow discord and deepen divisions between Poland and Ukraine. This could undermine trust in European institutions and disrupt support for Ukraine during its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Image Credit: Anastasiia Smolienko/Ukrinform/ABACAPRESS.COM via Reuters, Cited from DFRLab
