Polish internal security agency probes fabricated claim of widespread military call-up.
Following a false claim about a potential partial mobilization in Poland, authorities are scrutinizing whether the state-run news agency, PAP, has fallen victim to a Russian cyber offensive. Digitalisation Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski remarked in Warsaw, "It appears that we're faced with a cyber attack orchestrated from the Russian side."
The erroneous report detailed that Prime Minister Donald Tusk had commanded a partial mobilization for July 1st, which would've seen 200,000 individuals – comprised of both former soldiers and regular civilians – deployed to Ukraine.
Tusk responded to the unfounded rumour on platform X, stating, "This hacker attack further showcases the Russian approach to disrupting the political climate in the run-up to the European elections."
Poland is viewed as a key ally of the Ukraine, committing military support against Russian invaders. Additionally, the nation plays a pivotal role as a logistical hub for Western assistance to Kiev. Due to their enmity towards Poland, Russia perceives the country as an adversary.
Grabiec, the government spokesman of Poland, quickly dismissed the information. "The aforementioned rumour about PAP is entirely fabricated," he addressed on platform X. The PAP also clarified their stance on the issue, asserting, "The messages in question were not generated by the agency and could not have been composed or disseminated by PAP journalists."
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The domestic intelligence service in Poland is investigating the origin of the false report about a potential partial mobilization, which was initially attributed to Prime Minister Tusk. The Russian domestic intelligence service has been known to perpetrate cyber attacks against foreign entities, raising suspicions of Russian involvement in this case. If the partial mobilization sticks, it could potentially strain Poland's relations with its allies, including Russia's adversary, Ukraine.
