Telegram Channels Disseminating Pro‑Russian Propaganda in Poland

Background: Russia’s Disinformation Campaigns

Russia has sustained long-term information operations aimed at undermining Ukraine’s allies. In Poland, Moscow exploits Telegram—one of the country’s most popular messaging apps—to spread false narratives that strain Poland‑Ukraine relations

Key Telegram Channels and Their Narratives

Several Polish-language channels with Kremlin-linked influence have been identified:

• Anielskie Siostry Jasnowidzki (~14K subs),
• Niezależny Dziennik Polityczny (~12K subs),
• Układ Warszawski (~6K subs), and

They push narratives like:

• False claims of Polish military aspirations in Western Ukraine
• Accusations that Ukrainian refugees are draining Poland’s welfare system
• Staged videos depicting Ukrainian forces as war criminals or fraudsters

Target Narratives & Tactics

These channels repeatedly emphasize:

• Questioning Poland’s aid to Ukraine
• Sowing fear with refugee-centric conspiracy theories
• Repeating doctored media (photos, videos) to legitimize fraudulent claims
  They leverage a “divide and conquer” approach, using emotionally charged content designed to pit Poles against Ukrainians

Real‑World Impact on Polish Society

This viral misinformation has real-world consequences:

• Public mistrust toward Ukrainian refugees
• Pressure on welfare systems
• Political polarization, especially ahead of elections
• Authorities reported disinformation during floods and emergency situations, often traced back to Kremlin-linked IPs

Counter‑Measures and Government Response

Polish authorities have taken action:

• Blocking Russia-affiliated Telegram channels in 2022 and December 2024
• Media and NGOs monitoring Telegram content
• EU-wide actions under the Digital Services Act and Stratcom initiatives