On Friday afternoon, the Polish Press Agency (PAP) was hit by a cyberattack that led to the publication of a false report claiming that partial mobilization would begin in Poland on July 1, 2024. The report, which was promptly retracted, suggested that 200,000 Polish citizens would be called up for mandatory military service and sent to Ukraine.
The false dispatch, titled “Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Donald Tusk: Partial mobilization will begin in Poland on July 1, 2024,” appeared twice before being quickly retracted each time.
PAP confirmed that it was not the source of the false information and is investigating the circumstances surrounding the disinformation.
Justyna Wojteczek, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of PAP, confirmed that the source of the cyberattack had been identified and secured. “We have identified the source and the access path used in the attack, and we have secured it. The matter is now being investigated not only by PAP but also in collaboration with the relevant security services,” Wojteczek said on Polsat News. She thanked other news outlets for their quick response, which prevented the spread of the false information.
Polish authorities, including the Internal Security Agency (ABW) and the Ministry of Digitization, have launched immediate actions in response to this likely Russian cyberattack.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digitization Krzysztof Gawkowski stated that “everything points to a cyberattack and planned disinformation.” He assured the public that immediate measures were taken to address the issue, involving the Internal Security Agency (ABW) and the Research and Academic Computer Network (NASK).
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Prime Minister Donald Tusk also responded, highlighting the attack as part of a broader Russian strategy to destabilize the region ahead of European elections. “This very dangerous hacker attack clearly illustrates the Russian strategy of destabilization on the eve of European elections. Polish services are prepared and operate under the supervision of the Ministers of Internal Affairs and Digitization,” Tusk wrote on social media platform X.
Jan Grabiec, head of the Prime Minister’s Office, confirmed that the alleged PAP communication about mobilization was false and that the incident was being thoroughly investigated by security services. He reiterated that in Poland, mobilization can only be ordered by the President as per Article 136 of the Constitution.
Jacek Dobrzyński, spokesperson for the Minister Coordinator of Special Services, emphasized that Polish citizens can feel secure despite the cyberattack. “Poles can feel safe,” Dobrzyński assured on TVN24, noting that the false information was not widely disseminated. He highlighted the continuous vigilance of Polish security services against such threats.
Jacek Siewiera, head of the National Security Bureau (BBN), also dismissed the false report as deliberate disinformation, confirming ongoing communication with the government on the matter. He reiterated that mobilizations in Poland can only be ordered by the President, as specified in Article 136 of t “Bad news for Russia: Poland cannot be manipulated in such matters,” Siewiera stated.
Cybersecurity has become a critical issue globally, with state and non-state actors increasingly using cyberattacks to disrupt and influence political processes. The swift response by Polish authorities and the identification of the cyberattack source underscore the importance of vigilance and robust cybersecurity measures. As the European elections approach, the need for coordinated efforts to counter disinformation and cyber threats remains paramount. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing digital warfare and the necessity for comprehensive strategies to protect national security and information integrity.
