Special Services

It is worth recalling that the target of the Russian services are public figures not only in our country, and the activities of the group responsible for this operation were identified as early as 2016. Intelligence operations involving hacking attacks, taking over information resources and using them to manipulate public opinion have been used by the Kremlin in recent years in its fight against NATO.

Already in June 2021, we informed that the secret services had evidence that allows hacking actions against public figures in Poland to be clearly assigned to the UNC1151 group associated with the Russian secret services. Such operations against among others Poland are managed by the intelligence services of Russia, a hostile and aggressive country. A country that is currently waging a war against Ukraine and an information war against NATO. The hacking activities are being used by Russia on an ongoing basis both against Ukraine and the Alliance’s countries. The same group behind operation "GhostWriter" was used to attack Ukrainian targets during the war against Ukraine.

In recent weeks, there has been an increase in publications resulting from the hostile actions in the continuation of operation "GhostWriter", which is commonly regarded in the West as a Russian intelligence operation - both partners services and cybersecurity experts agree. Breaking the security of e-mail or social media profiles against selected people in Poland is intended to interfere with public debate as well as international relations, including with our allies.

Unfortunately, some circles in Poland do not seem to understand the threat, treating the successive elements of Russian activities as an opportunity to achieve their own political gains. This irresponsible behavior fits into a scenario dangerous for Poland. It should be remembered that disinformation activities serve Russia to achieve the goals it is pursuing in Ukraine through brutal warfare and genocidal activities - the Kremlin is striving to return to dominance over Central and Eastern Europe, weaken NATO and continue pursuing imperial policy towards countries it considers to be its zone of influence. Joining in the promotion of the activities of the Russian services carries very serious threats.

For years, Russia has been conducting not only disinformation operations, but also long-term influence operations aimed at changing the social perception or distorting the political decisions of entire societies. Several countries experienced this during elections or campaigns before referendums. The Kremlin uses disinformation and hostile propaganda to try to influence the election decisions of entire nations. Anyone who cares about state security, anyone who wants to defend the principles of democracy, should understand that Russian actions are a threat to democratic states. Even if their effects may seem to some temporarily attractive and useful in a political struggle.

The Spokesman for Poland’s Minister-Special Services Coordinator