Poland targeted by Russian disinformation ahead of NATO Ankara summit

A Disinfo Digest analysis of Russian online activity from 26 June to 2 July identified a coordinated propaganda effort aimed at undermining Poland's NATO ties. The campaign singled out Poland's "Shield East" defence programme, portraying it as excessive militarisation and accusing the government of favouring "tanks instead of hospitals" and "NATO instead of schools". It also spread AI‑generated images of General Dariusz Parylak, commander of the Multinational Corps North‑East, on TikTok, claiming the images were official.

The disinformation narrative linked the "Shield East" modernisation and the NATO exercise "Brave Boar 26" in the Warmian‑Masurian region to hostile Russian and Belarusian intentions, suggesting the drills were preparation for aggression against Russia and Belarus. The effort intensified ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where alliance leaders are expected to reaffirm unity and discuss a greater European share of defence responsibilities.