Pro-Russian propaganda about 'Western guilt' in war gains ground in Poland's information space – CCD

The Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) under Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council said this in a post on Telegram, according to Ukrinform.

"In Poland's information space, the number of pro-Russian narratives is growing. They are designed to promote the idea that the U.S. and EU supposedly 'provoked' Russia into the war against Ukraine, making the West, rather than the Kremlin, allegedly responsible for the conflict," the statement reads.

According to the CCD, such messages are being actively spread on Facebook, often accompanied by calls to "prevent Poland from being dragged into the war." Posts repeat familiar tropes of Russian propaganda, such as "Maidan was planned and funded by the U.S."; "Crimea joined Russia after a legitimate referendum"; "NATO threatens Russia's borders"; and "Ukraine rejected peace under Western pressure."

The CCD stressed that these narratives are part of a large-scale Russian influence operation targeting European audiences. Its main objective is to undermine EU and NATO solidarity and weaken public support for defense initiatives under the slogan "don't let Ukraine drag us into the war." In this way, the Kremlin seeks to erode Europe's collective defense capability amid the growing threat from Russia.

CCD head Andrii Kovalenko said on September 30 that Russia could attempt to test the strength of Poland's border using sabotage and reconnaissance groups.