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Poland expels 11 over alleged Russia-backed campaign targeting Ukrainian refugees

Created at 29 Jun · 11:33 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) has deported nine Ukrainians and two Belarusians suspected of using Russian funds to organize anti-Kyiv government demonstrations among Ukrainian refugees. The operation aimed to influence the refugee community and exploit wartime vulnerabilities for Russian influence.

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Key Numbers

11individuals deported
9Ukrainians deported
2Belarusians deported

Who's Involved

Internal Security Agency (ABW)
Polish security service that conducted the deportations
Volodymyr Zelenskiy
President of Ukraine, whose government was targeted

↳ Why This Matters

The incident highlights ongoing efforts by Russia to exert influence and sow discord within neighboring countries, particularly by exploiting vulnerable populations like refugees, and underscores Poland's vigilance against such hybrid warfare tactics.

Key facts

  • Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) deported nine Ukrainians and two Belarusians.
  • The individuals are suspected of receiving Russian funds to organize protests among Ukrainian refugees.
  • The alleged campaign aimed to influence the refugee community and promote anti-Kyiv government slogans.
  • The ABW stated the operation was designed to undermine public trust and exploit refugees.
  • The individuals reportedly had links to Russia and Belarus and were active since autumn 2025.

Poland's security services have deported eleven individuals, nine Ukrainians and two Belarusians, on suspicion of orchestrating a Russia-backed campaign to influence Ukrainian refugees within Poland. The Internal Security Agency (ABW) stated that the group allegedly used Russian funds to recruit refugees for protests against the Ukrainian government.

The ABW reported that the organizers sought to gradually influence the Ukrainian refugee community and leverage emotive topics, such as corruption scandals affecting President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's government, to incite demonstrations. The agency characterized the operation as a form of hybrid warfare, aimed at undermining public trust and exploiting individuals fleeing conflict.

According to the ABW, the deported individuals had connections to Russia and Belarus and had been engaged in these activities since the autumn of 2025. Poland has consistently accused Russia and Belarus of conducting hybrid campaigns, including sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation, since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, allegations that Russia denies.

Frequently asked questions

Nine Ukrainian citizens and two Belarusian citizens were deported by Poland's security services.

They are suspected of using Russian money to recruit Ukrainian refugees for anti-Kyiv government protests in Poland.

The organizers aimed to influence the Ukrainian refugee community and use them to promote political slogans against the Ukrainian government.

The individuals reportedly began their activities in the autumn of 2025.

What Happens Next

01The Russian embassy in Warsaw has not yet responded to a request for comment.

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Cadence

How It Developed

Polish security services deported nine Ukrainians and two Belarusians.
The individuals are suspected of using Russian money to recruit refugees for anti-Kyiv protests.
The operation aimed to influence the Ukrainian refugee community in Poland.
The ABW stated the individuals had links to Russia and Belarus and had been active since autumn 2025.

Sources

T1
Poland expels 11 suspected of Russia-backed campaign to influence Ukrainian refugeesReuters

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