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Poland and Czech Republic targeted by AI-driven disinformation campaign
A sophisticated disinformation campaign is targeting relations between Poland and the Czech Republic. The operation utilizes AI-generated documents, fake social media profiles, and spoofed news websites to spread false claims that Poland intends to seize approximately 600 hectares of Czech territory in the Zaolzie region.
Investigators and cybersecurity experts, including NASK, have identified several key elements of the campaign. These include a fake Facebook profile impersonating the Czech Ambassador to Poland, a fraudulent website mimicking the Czech public broadcaster iROZHLAS, and the use of AI-generated images to create fake personas, such as an individual named Adam Sikora. This persona was used to promote a non-existent protest in the city of Třinec.
Polish and Czech officials have responded to the attempt to sow discord. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski both issued statements emphasizing the strong friendship between the two nations and urging citizens not to be misled. While the exact origin of the campaign has not been definitively proven, experts note that the tactics align with methods used in Russian hybrid warfare operations.
Entities
CyberDefence24 · Donald Tusk · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland · NASK · Poland · Radosław Sikorski
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The fake Facebook accounts used in the operation were reported to platform moderation. cyberdefence24.pl
- [● 3 SOURCES] A fake profile named Adam Sikora promoted a non-existent protest in Třinec. next.gazeta.pl · ct24.ceskatelevize.cz · www.polsatnews.pl
- [● 3 SOURCES] The city of Třinec confirmed that no protest had been officially registered. next.gazeta.pl · ct24.ceskatelevize.cz · www.polsatnews.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski urged citizens not to let themselves be divided by the campaign. ct24.ceskatelevize.cz · dorzeczy.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted a message on X stating that Poland and the Czech Republic are true friends. ct24.ceskatelevize.cz · dorzeczy.pl
- [● 6 SOURCES] A disinformation campaign used AI-generated documents to claim Poland wants to seize 600 hectares of Czech land. cyberdefence24.pl · www.denik.cz · next.gazeta.pl · ct24.ceskatelevize.cz · dorzeczy.pl · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Polish and Czech experts and services suspect Russia is behind a disinformation campaign targeting relations between the two countries. cyberdefence24.pl · www.denik.cz · next.gazeta.pl · ct24.ceskatelevize.cz · dorzeczy.pl · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The KOVO trade union distanced itself from the disinformation campaign after its logo was used without permission. next.gazeta.pl · www.polsatnews.pl