Poland-Czech Republic disinformation campaign

A sophisticated disinformation campaign has targeted relations between Poland and the Czech Republic, utilizing cyberattacks and artificial intelligence to spread false claims regarding territorial disputes.

The operation began with a cyberattack on the Bydgoszcz-based Radio PiK website, where hackers used an employee password to publish a fake article claiming Poland intended to occupy Czech territory. This initial breach was accompanied by social media accounts impersonating the Czech Ambassador to Poland and the Polish Deputy Foreign Minister. Investigators noted the use of AI to create forged documents and videos.

As the campaign evolved, it expanded to include the hacking of news portals and the creation of counterfeit websites mimicking legitimate Czech media. The disinformation specifically targeted the Zaolzie region, using AI-generated personas and fabricated documents purportedly from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to incite protests. Czech authorities suggested the campaign might be driven by Moscow to undermine the coalition supporting Ukraine, while the Polish National Research Institute NASK reported that false accounts were being flagged to platform moderators.