Russia Son's False Propaganda Attempts to Influence Poland's 2025 Presidential Election

In the heyday of Poland's upcoming Presidential Election on May 18, alarm bells are ringing as European watchdogs uncover the revived Russian influence operation named "Operation Doppelganger." This clandestine campaign, long in operation, has now set its sights on Poland's voting populace.

A recent report from Alliance4Europe, in partnership with Debunk.org, highlights that Operation Doppelganger has reemerged to manipulate the narrative surrounding Poland's political landscape. According to these analysts, Russia's latest deception strategies include posing as Polish media, propagating false accounts of the Ukrainian conflict, and sabotaging the Polish government and NATO's credibility. This operation seems to be a continuation of earlier widespread efforts to sway Western nations during crucial elections and politically-charged moments.

Get Rich or Info-War?

Operation Doppelganger first surfaced in 2022, courtesy of EU DisinfoLab's investigations. The operation consists of fabricated websites that mirror the design and URL structure of genuine European media outlets, such as those in France, Germany, and the United States, especially during periods of political uncertainty or military involvement with Ukraine[1].

In this latest version targeting Poland, links to bogus versions of leading Polish media, including TVN24, Onet, Interia, and Wprost, are being used[1]. Analysts say this Practice allows disinformation operators to capitalize on the trust readers place in popular news outlets, thus intensifying the reach and influence of their false narratives[1].

Spinning Yarns and Setting Snares

Between March 4 and April 4, 2025, researchers detected 279 posts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) linking to 13 major Polish media brands[1]. Many of these links led to fake websites rather than the real news platforms they imitated[1].

The fake articles circulated via these links included anti-Ukrainian sentiment, rebukes of Western sanctions on Russia, and assertions that Poland's support for Ukraine was damaging its economy and international standing[1]. Other articles attacked Polish political figures, including incumbent President Andrzej Duda and candidates running for the upcoming election[1].

A prominent narrative falsely claimed that Polish troops were being surreptitiously deployed to Ukraine, incurring the risk of direct conflict with Russia[1]. Another recurring claim suggested that Ukrainian refugees were enjoying preferential treatment over Polish citizens[1].

Researchers posit that the timing of these messages was no mere coincidence. The Polish presidential election is viewed as a significant test for democratic resilience in the region, especially considering the ongoing war in Ukraine and escalating geopolitical tensions across Europe[1]. Russia's efforts seem aimed at fomenting political discord, eroding public trust in governmental institutions, and discouraging voter participation.

Global Deception: A Common Language

While the primary language of the disinformation posts was Polish, some messages were also found in English and German, suggesting that the campaign was designed not only to manipulate Poland's domestic perceptions but also to shape external opinions of its political climate and global role[3].

Disinformation analysts highlighted that the operation's outreach was constrained but highly coordinated[3]. Frequently, similar posts were published across multiple inauthentic accounts immediately after each other, suggesting the use of automation tools and pre-arranged content timelines[3].

The cloned websites were also built using domain names closely resembling those of genuine Polish outlets, with subtle alterations in spelling or the use of alternative domain extensions making it challenging for casual readers to distinguish between real and fake sources[3].

A Cyber Drawl: The Polish, EU and Beyond

In response to the report, Poland's Ministry of Digital Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to cyber and information security, asserting that electoral integrity is a top priority for the nation[4]. The Ministry confirmed its collaboration with EU partners and independent fact-checkers to closely monitor and combat disinformation campaigns[4].

The European External Action Service (EEAS) also issued a statement denouncing Russia's ongoing employment of information operations to interfere with democratic processes within EU member states[4].

Media Awareness: A Shield or a Sword?

Experts advocate that a combination of technical safeguards and increased public awareness constitutes the best shield against such operations[5]. Krzysztof Izdebski, a legal and digital governance expert with the Batory Foundation, stressed the importance of media literacy education at all levels[5].

He stated that critical thinking rather than technology is essential to recognizing disinformation in an era where political stakes are high[5]. Debunk.org and other fact-checking organizations have launched educational campaigns to help voters identify fake sites and verify sources[5]. They recommend double-checking URLs, comparing articles with those on official platforms, and reporting suspicious content to trusted watchdogs[5].

As Poland gears up for a vital Presidential Election, the reemergence of Operation Doppelganger serves as a stark reminder of the evolving nature of foreign interference. While the scope of the operation remains relatively limited, its intention is clear: to destabilize the information environment and weaken democratic institutions. Vigilance, transparency, and collaboration between civil society, media, and government will be crucial to facilitate the Polish public's participation in a foreign interference-free democratic process.

[1] Alliance4Europe and Debunk.org, " Operation Doppelganger: New Developments in Russia's Disinformation Tactics Targeting Poland's 2025 Presidential Election," [accessed April 12, 2025].[2] EU DisinfoLab, "Operation Doppelganger: A Closer Look at Russia's Long-Running Disinformation Campaign," [accessed April 12, 2025].[3] Observatory on Disinformation and Media Development (ODAM), "Investigating the Evolution of Operation Doppelganger in Poland: A Case Study in Foreign Influence Operations," [accessed April 12, 2025].[4] Ministry of Digital Affairs, " Statement on the Discovery of Russia's Information Warfare Efforts Ahead of Poland's Presidential Election," [accessed April 12, 2025].[5] Batory Foundation, " Media Literacy: The Key to Resisting Disinformation Operations," [accessed April 12, 2025].

The ongoing Russian influence operation named "Operation Doppelganger" is gaining attention in Poland's political landscape, especially with the Presidential Election in May 2025.
This operation is manipulating the narrative surrounding the election, with Russia employing false accounts of the Ukrainian conflict and posing as Polish media outlets.
In 2022, Operation Doppelganger was first revealed by EU DisinfoLab, with fake websites designed to mirror the structure of European media outlets.
For the latest version targeting Poland, bogus versions of leading Polish media like TVN24, Onet, Interia, and Wprost are being used.
Researchers found that between March and April 2025, there were 279 posts on social media platform X linking to 13 major Polish media brands, many of which led to fake websites.
The false narratives propagated through these links included anti-Ukrainian sentiment, claims about the economy, and attacks on political figures.
The timing of these disinformation campaigns is suspected to be intentional, aiming to create political discord and erode public trust in governmental institutions.
While the primary language of the disinformation posts was Polish, some messages were also found in English and German, indicating an attempt to manipulate external opinions about Poland's political climate.
Poland's Ministry of Digital Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to cyber and information security to combat disinformation campaigns.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) has also denounced Russia's interference with democratic processes within EU member states.
Experts suggest that media literacy education and increased public awareness is essential to resisting foreign influence operations.
As Poland prepares for its Presidential Election, vigilance, transparency, and collaboration between civil society, media, and government will be crucial to ensure a foreign interference-free democratic process.