According to Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW), the individuals were not deported simply for participating in demonstrations. Authorities allege they were involved in a coordinated operation financed by Russia that sought to recruit Ukrainian refugees living in Poland and encourage them to take part in protests directed against the Ukrainian government, News.az reports.
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The case is particularly significant because it combines several of Europe’s most pressing security challenges: Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, the presence of millions of Ukrainian refugees across European countries, and increasing concerns that Moscow is attempting to influence domestic politics through non-military means. Polish authorities describe the operation as part of a broader campaign intended to weaken public trust, create divisions within society, and undermine support for Ukraine among countries that have been among Kyiv’s strongest allies since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
What exactly are Polish authorities alleging?
The Internal Security Agency says the group allegedly worked over several months to organize influence activities inside Poland. Rather than simply encouraging public demonstrations, investigators believe the organizers attempted to build long-term influence within Ukrainian refugee communities by identifying individuals willing to participate in political protests critical of the Ukrainian leadership.
According to the agency, emotionally sensitive issues played a central role in the recruitment process. Alleged organizers reportedly focused on corruption scandals involving the administration of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as other controversial domestic political developments in Ukraine, to encourage dissatisfaction among refugees. Authorities believe these issues were deliberately selected because they were likely to provoke strong emotional reactions and increase participation in demonstrations.
The ABW also stated that the alleged operation had been active since the autumn of 2025 and claimed that those involved maintained links with Russian and Belarusian networks. Polish investigators argue the operation represented a coordinated attempt to manipulate refugee communities rather than spontaneous political activism.
Why would Ukrainian refugees be targeted?
Poland has become home to one of the largest Ukrainian refugee populations since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Millions of Ukrainians have crossed into Poland, with many remaining there under temporary protection. Because refugees remain emotionally connected to political developments in their home country, security officials believe they can become attractive targets for foreign influence campaigns seeking to exploit frustration, uncertainty or political disagreements.
According to the ABW, organizers allegedly attempted to exploit existing debates inside Ukrainian society rather than creating entirely new narratives. By emphasizing controversial political issues and corruption allegations, investigators say the operation sought to persuade refugees to publicly criticize the Ukrainian government while living abroad. Polish authorities argue that such activities could ultimately weaken international support for Kyiv by creating the impression of growing dissatisfaction even among Ukrainians displaced by the war.
What is hybrid warfare and why does Poland use this term?
Polish authorities describe the case as an example of Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy rather than traditional espionage or military aggression. Hybrid warfare generally refers to the use of multiple non-conventional tools—including disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, sabotage, economic pressure, covert financing, political influence operations and social manipulation—to weaken another country without direct military confrontation.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Poland has repeatedly accused Moscow and its ally Belarus of conducting such activities against Polish institutions and society. Warsaw argues that these operations are designed to exploit existing political disagreements, undermine confidence in democratic institutions and create divisions among allies supporting Ukraine.
In its statement, the ABW said the alleged operation involving Ukrainian refugees demonstrated how modern influence campaigns increasingly rely on exploiting vulnerable communities instead of using conventional military methods. According to the agency, the objective was to undermine public trust, increase social tensions and use refugees fleeing war as instruments of Russian influence.
Why is Poland particularly sensitive to these allegations?
Few European countries have been as directly affected by the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as Poland. Since 2022, Warsaw has emerged as one of Kyiv’s closest political and military partners while simultaneously becoming the primary destination for millions of Ukrainian refugees. Poland also serves as one of the most important logistical hubs for Western military assistance entering Ukraine.
Because of this central role, Polish security agencies consider attempts to create tensions between Ukrainian refugees and the Polish state to be matters of national security rather than ordinary public order issues. Officials argue that efforts to manipulate refugee communities could damage Poland’s internal stability while simultaneously weakening international support for Ukraine.
The latest deportations therefore fit into a broader security strategy under which Poland has expanded counterintelligence activities, strengthened border security and increased monitoring of suspected foreign influence operations.
How does this fit into previous accusations against Russia?
The latest allegations are not an isolated incident. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Polish authorities have announced numerous investigations involving suspected Russian or Belarusian intelligence activities. These have included alleged espionage networks, sabotage plots, cyberattacks against public institutions, arson attacks targeting infrastructure, and disinformation campaigns designed to influence public opinion.
Polish officials argue that these activities should not be viewed separately but rather as components of a long-term strategy aimed at destabilizing countries supporting Ukraine. Other European governments have also reported similar concerns regarding Russian influence operations targeting elections, political debates and social cohesion.
Russia has consistently rejected accusations that it carries out sabotage or disinformation campaigns against European countries, including Poland.
What broader implications does this case have?
The deportations illustrate how European security concerns have evolved since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Intelligence agencies increasingly view influence operations, disinformation campaigns and covert political activities as security threats comparable to more traditional forms of espionage. Rather than relying solely on military force, governments argue that foreign actors increasingly seek to shape public opinion, exploit political divisions and weaken democratic institutions through indirect methods.
The Polish investigation also highlights the growing challenge of protecting refugee communities from manipulation while ensuring that legitimate political expression is not confused with organized foreign influence. As the war in Ukraine continues, European governments are expected to devote greater attention to identifying and preventing covert operations designed to exploit displaced populations, influence domestic political debates and undermine support for Ukraine across the continent.
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