Russia is waging a “full-scale cognitive war” against Poland, spending more than $6bn (£4.7bn) on propaganda since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Poland’s foreign minister Radosław Sikorski has warned. In comments published by Notes from Poland, Sikorski said Moscow had allocated a record $1.4bn in 2025 alone and was operating a “Russian fifth column” inside Poland through groups and individuals operating under multi-layered cover in spaces not seen as classic theatres of war.
Sikorski warns of ‘fifth column’ and massive propaganda spending
Speaking on Tuesday, Sikorski said the Kremlin’s objective was not limited to disinformation but aimed at “weakening the will to resist, undermining democratic values and fuelling divisions”. He stressed that “from the Kremlin’s point of view, this is a war against the entire West, aimed at our alliances and designed to destroy the foundations of success not only of Poland but of the whole region.” The minister noted that the European Union spends only a fraction of Russia’s propaganda budget on countering information manipulation, leaving the bloc dangerously exposed.
Spy cases surge as Poland emerges as top target for Russian sabotage
Poland has become Europe’s most targeted country for Russian sabotage, according to a report earlier this year from the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism. The Internal Security Agency (ABW) launched twice as many investigations into espionage in 2025 as in 2024, with the total number of cases over the past two years exceeding those of the previous three decades combined. In recent years Polish authorities have detained numerous individuals accused of working for Russia to spread disinformation and conduct espionage. Meanwhile support for the far-right party Confederation of the Polish Crown, led by Grzegorz Braun who advocates “normalising” relations with Russia, has risen to 8% over the past year.
British interests at stake as Moscow aims to weaken support for Ukraine
For British audiences, the implications are direct. Poland serves as the primary logistics hub for Western military and economic aid to Ukraine, meaning any destabilisation in Warsaw automatically affects Kyiv’s ability to defend itself. A weakened Polish government or shift in public opinion towards neutrality could disrupt supply lines and reduce pressure on Moscow, potentially prolonging the war and increasing security risks on NATO’s eastern flank. Britain, as a leading NATO member and co-architect of European security, would face renewed demands to fill any gap in support for Ukraine, straining defence budgets already under pressure. Moreover, the same cognitive warfare techniques – propaganda, polarisation, and covert influence – are being deployed across Europe, including the United Kingdom, where Russian interference has been documented in past elections and referendums.
EU’s limited spending leaves Europe exposed to information manipulation
The disparity in resources is stark: Russia’s 2025 propaganda budget alone ($1.4bn) dwarfs the entire EU budget for countering disinformation, which Sikorski described as “a fraction” of Moscow’s outlay. This imbalance allows the Kremlin to saturate media ecosystems with narratives designed to exploit existing social divides over migration, EU integration, and relations with Ukraine. Without a significant increase in European investment in media literacy, fact-checking infrastructure, and proactive counter-narrative campaigns, the risk of public opinion fragmentation grows. Sikorski’s warning underscores that the battleground has shifted from conventional conflict to a war of perception, where the resilience of democratic institutions is tested daily. The coming months will test whether Poland and its allies can mount an effective defence before the cracks in European unity become irreparable.
