Russia has intensified its information warfare by spreading false claims aimed at provoking hostility towards Ukrainians in Poland. On 20 September 2025, pro-Kremlin channels circulated a fabricated story alleging that Polish soldiers had been assaulted by so-called “Banderites” at the border, with one serviceman supposedly hospitalized in critical condition. The video containing these allegations quickly amassed hundreds of thousands of views on platforms such as TikTok and Facebook. Poland’s Ministry of National Defence officially denied the claims, stressing that no such incident had occurred.
False reports seek to undermine trust and solidarity
The spread of manipulated content, including the alleged assault video, is part of a broader information operation designed to discredit Ukrainians and sow division inside Poland. The Center for Countering Disinformation (CPD) has documented other similar cases, such as fabricated border documents allegedly required from Ukrainians and false reports of harsh treatment during checks at the Polish-Ukrainian frontier. These coordinated disinformation efforts follow recent Russian drone attacks, after which Moscow intensified attempts to shape public opinion by shifting blame onto Ukraine.
Disinformation as a weapon of hybrid warfare
Warsaw has emphasized that such narratives reflect Moscow’s longstanding strategy of exploiting historical grievances to generate friction between allies. However, current Polish-Ukrainian relations rest on solidarity and shared security interests. Analysts highlight that Russia is once again using fake news as part of its hybrid warfare, with stories like the “border assault” designed to erode unity within the EU and NATO. Officials in both Warsaw and Kyiv underscore that no amount of fabricated stories will weaken the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Poland, Ukraine and EU reaffirm partnership
Poland and Ukraine remain steadfast partners in confronting Russian aggression, with European institutions committed to defending the information space against hostile operations. The disinformation campaign not only targets bilateral relations but also challenges broader democratic values, rule of law and European solidarity. Ukrainian officials stress that Moscow’s attempts to portray Ukrainians as aggressors will not undermine the alliance that ensures security for the entire region. Both nations continue to call for joint resilience against such manipulative tactics while reinforcing their commitment to shared democratic principles.
