Poland's security services deported nine Ukrainian citizens and two Belarusians suspected of orchestrating a Russia-backed campaign to influence Ukrainian refugees. The group allegedly received Russian funds to organize protests against the Ukrainian government.
The deportations highlight ongoing efforts by Russia to destabilize neighboring countries and influence public opinion among refugee populations, underscoring the continued geopolitical tensions stemming from the conflict in Ukraine.
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.