Poland
In this direction the main topics were: militarization of society and preparation for war with Belarus and Russia, combat effectiveness of the Polish army, criticism of the country’s leadership, the situation with migrants on the border with Belarus and Germany, the new migration strategy of the government. The issues of the situation of Belarusians and Ukrainians in Poland, contradictions in Polish-Ukrainian and Polish-German relations, as well as the country’s dependence on the USA were touched upon. Special attention was paid to Polish volunteers in the AFU and the actions of the authorities to overcome the consequences of flooding.
Migration crisis
When covering the situation with migrants on the Polish-Belarusian border, emphasis was placed on the criminality of the actions of Polish border guards and Belarusian military. For example, the words of the Polish Deputy Defense Minister P. Beida that 63 Polish soldiers have been injured and wounded while detaining migrants since the beginning of the year were commented on as follows: «And how many injured refugees, how many of their corpses were found on the Polish-Belarusian border? How many Polish law enforcers with a crippled psyche from the execution of criminal orders are in the Polish Border Guard and army?». At the same time, the telegram channel «Nevolfowicz» wrote, that since 2021 «the Polish regime has already killed 27 foreigners, maimed many» and that since the beginning of 2024 Polish soldiers on the border with Belarus «have fired 1609 rounds of live ammunition in the direction of migrants». However, in reality the Polish Ministry of Defense reported about 1609 signal and warning shots, not combat shots.
The words of Polish Prime Minister D. Tusk about the probable termination of asylum for migrants became an important news item. Subsequently, Sejm Speaker Sh. Golovnia said that this was possible only if a state of emergency was imposed in the country. «But as practice shows, it is not a difficult thing for Poland to introduce a state of emergency or martial law. The scheme is simple: make a statement about «increased migration flow» — accuse Belarus of it — deny refugees asylum. Profit!«, — emphasized in the telegram channel «GRANITSA FM | Facts and Opinions. At the same time, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office noted that the Border Service would not be obliged to accept an application for asylum, if someone illegally crosses the border with the help of the Belarusian special services. This elicited the following reaction: «Polish law enforcers are quietly «shooing away» refugees even now. And now, if someone from the UN or similar organizations asks a question about the legality of their actions, it will be possible to answer that «these refugees were brought by the Belarusian authorities, and in general — we have a crisis and a state of emergency here!»».
Attention was also drawn to the situation on the Polish-German border. Thus, in response to the information that the German authorities returned 570 foreigners to Poland in January-September of this year under the readmission program, who initially entered the EU through the Polish border, stated: «It is no secret that the Polish-German border is an interesting place: refugees walk there as they please, the German police, without informing Poles, throw people into Poland.
Criticism of the Polish Army and Ministry of Defense
The sufficient level of combat capability of the Polish armed forces was questioned. For example, against the background of testing elements of the fortifications «Eastern Shield» on the border with Belarus, the»Belarusian Front» Telegram channel wrote: «The actions of the Polish authorities, on the one hand, look like a desire to create an image of a powerful army ready to defend the borders and the eastern flank of NATO. However, this facade hides serious problems that call into question the real combat capability of the Polish Army». At the same time, raising the issue of insufficient quantity of ammunition in the Polish Army, difficulties with their production and purchase, it was emphasized: «Taking into account all this situation with the combat readiness of the Polish Armed Forces, it is comical to hear slogans bordering on panic from the mouths of Polish officials about the readiness of the country to become the next in line after Ukraine in the war with Russia. With what to fight with?»
The news about incidents in the Polish army conveyed the idea of unprofessionalism of the personnel, including due to constant conflicts at the leadership level. Thus, describing a case of looting by one of the military personnel in a flood-stricken area in the Lower Silesia Voivodship, the authors of the telegram channel «BelVPO» stated: «Not everything is so smooth in the praised Polish Army. It is obvious that the level of moral and business qualities of Polish uniforms is clearly lame. The fish rots from the head, while the top is sharing power and weaving intrigues in the troops reigns a mess». In parallel, reacted to the information that soldiers were injured due to an explosion of ammunition on the training ground of the Special Forces training center in Strshepcha as follows: «The official version is, of course, the ‘uniforms’ are not to blame, but in the light of recent events due to squabbles in the Polish Armed Forces command, low morale and negligence prevail in the troops.» The main reason for this and other incidents in the Polish army was also called «unsatisfactory training of personnel, which is systematic».
Militarization and preparation for war
The Poles were regularly accused of escalating the situation. For example, an article about the development of the infrastructure of local military airfields claimed: «In connection with the evident carrying out by Poland of measures of advance preparation for military actions and the emergence of new challenges and threats to Belarus, retaliatory measures are necessary as an adequate response». At the same time the main topic of the ATN program «Disposition» of October 22 was construction of the above-mentioned system of fortifications «Eastern Shield» on the eastern border of Poland. The anchor conveyed the message about the aggressive intentions of the Poles: «All these allegedly defensive constructions are also erected when planning an attack…». It has long been known that the Eastern Shield is not for defense and will have little to do with defense. Just as it has been known for a long time that Warsaw is pulling up troops to our border.
The topic of allegedly widespread militarization of Polish society, including the younger generation, was also reflected. Thus, the incident in which teenagers fired an air rifle at a city bus was commented on as follows: «The sad thing is that such unchildish amusements will continue. After all, the main course of Polish politics is aimed at militarization, because the country’s leadership needs to recruit a 300-thousand-strong army of tin soldiers.» At the same time in the telegram channel «Belarusian Front» it was noted: «Poland is not just increasing its army, but seems to be purposefully attracting young people, starting with psychological preparation for a possible conflict».
The Poles were again accused of seeking to return their former territories by force: «The political leadership of the country, using the situation in Ukraine, is plotting to seize western Belarus and western Ukraine, which undermines stability in the region and creates real threats for the neighbors». Lukashenka’s words on this topic were also actively quoted: «If only Poles get into Ukraine and try to grab the west, we will support Ukrainians. Because we realize that we will be the next ones».
The idea that too much money is spent on the army to the detriment of the economy was once again broadcasted: «Poland is already experiencing serious economic, social and demographic difficulties. At the same time, the regime continues to spend a mind-boggling amount of money on weapons. The poorer population will have to bear the cost of this policy, whose pockets will be turned out by introducing new taxes, fines, cutting subsidies and benefits». At the same time, continued to promote the narrative about the allegedly insufficient allocation of funds to combat the flooding in southern Poland: «And instead of throwing all their energies into eliminating the consequences of the disaster, the Polish leadership continues to pour all the money into their military «desires», increasing tensions near our borders».
Criticizing the country’s leadership
The president, the government and the leadership of Poland as a whole were actively criticized. For example, A. Duda was accused of ignoring the problems of ordinary Poles against the background of the consequences of the recent floods: «Why solve problems and help your people after the floods, when you can continue to have fun. The main rule of the Polish head of state is not to deny himself anything.» Also in the «BelVPO» Telegram channel it was noted, that after the election of the new government headed by D. Tusk in 2023 people felt only negative changes: «Corruption is growing, ethical standards are falling — and this is the history of modern Poland. Corruption scandals in the government drag on from year to year, and the result does not change with the change of figures, only the speed of stealing has changed.
The democratic foundations of the country were also questioned. For example, the revocation of the passport of former Polish judge T.Schmidt, who fled to Belarus, was called «a desperate attempt to silence criticism of the authorities», and it was noted that «this gesture clearly demonstrates how the Polish authorities try to deal with dissidents and those who oppose corruption and hypocrisy in the government». They also paid attention to the case of Polish actor J. Jakimowicz, who went on a trip to Belarus and praised the country on social networks: «The Polish «democratic» regime did not like the fact that a man dared to tell the truth. That is why the local media promptly labeled him a traitor, as it is supposed to do in a free society. Soon there will be one more truly free Pole in our country».
Contradictions between Poland and Ukraine
The existence of contradictions between the two countries was emphasized in every possible way. For example, the words of the head of the Polish Defense Ministry V. Kosiniak-Kamysz that Poles were the first to send military aid to Ukrainians, and now there is no memory of this aid from the Ukrainian side, in the telegram channel «Nevolfowicz» commented as follows: «And so hugged and kissed. From love to hate is one step. Apparently, they are already running out of money, so they are looking for an excuse. A beaver is no match for a pig». At the same time, they quoted former Polish Prime Minister B. Szydlo as saying that Ukraine will not be able to join the European Union until it condemns its nationalist past and distances itself from the glorification of war criminals. «This statement emphasizes the complex situation in relations between Poland and Ukraine, related to the interpretation of the Volyn massacre and the attitude to Ukrainian nationalists,» — summarized the authors of the telegram channel «BelVPO». At the same time, it was stated that the «victory plan» recently proposed by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy for the war with Russia has not met with support among the Western allies, including Poland, which allegedly «expresses concern due to war fatigue and the difficult situation on the front».
Ukrainians in Poland
There are two contradictory propaganda narratives on this topic. On the one hand, it was noted that «the end of the Ukrainian conflict will be the end of Poland’s ‘freebies‘» and that Ukrainian refugees are «pulling» the country’s economy and the loss of cheap labor will lead the country to even greater economic decline. On the other hand, the cases of discrimination of Ukrainian refugees by Poles were explained in the following way: «It is worth thinking about — what if Poland and the Kiev regime could come to an agreement with each other? Perhaps in this way Warsaw deliberately creates unbearable conditions for refugees, pushing them to return to Ukraine, where they will be forcibly mobilized and die ignominiously at the front». The following thought was also encountered: the situation is moving towards the point that soon all Ukrainian refugees will be sent to the front.
Polish volunteers in the AFU
In particular, the topic was raised of the continuing uncertain legal status of Polish citizens participating in the war in Ukraine (upon their return home they face criminal liability), the reason for which the propagandists saw in the following: «After the conflict is over, Moscow will raise the issue of extradition to Russia of those accused of crimes against humanity before the governments of the countries from which the thugs infiltrated Ukraine, as well as Interpol. In this situation, it is politically advantageous for Warsaw to dissociate itself from those of its citizens who sided with the Kiev regime». In parallel, the Polish volunteers in the Russian Armed Forces were accused of committing war crimes on the territory of the Kursk region of the Russian Armed Forces. It was stated that the Poles «shot and slaughtered» local residents and that they «surpassed even Ukrainian nationalists in cruelty».
Belarusians in Poland
Among other things, attention was drawn to the allegedly deplorable situation of Belarusians in Poland. For example, after the statement of President A. Duda that the new migration strategy of Prime Minister D. Tusk would make it impossible for representatives of the Belarusian opposition to find an asylum in Poland, they wrote: «Duda is afraid of being deprived of villeins. Then who will clean the pans’ toilets and do other work unworthy of the pans? The fugitives in general will become a disenfranchised crowd, who will be afraid to even look at the pope, so as not to be thrown out of the country». At the same time, the news about the incident, during which a Belarusian living in Poland was attacked by his Polish neighbor, was commented in the following way: «The police did not even begin to investigate when they found out that the victim was a citizen of Belarus. Nothing unusual, just the everyday life of zmagars in Poland».
Contradictions between Poland and Germany
They also paid attention to the topic of the possible start of readmission procedures, as a result of which Germany would return up to 40,000 migrants to Poland. It was said, «disagreeing with its western neighbor against the background of the return of border controls by Germany, the ‘hyena of Europe’ [Poland – ed.] is now seriously concerned», and «a minimum level of diplomatic relations between the two countries is coming». At the same time, it was noted that German «burghers may remember the 39th year and will have to divide Poland again.» Also among the examples of disagreements between the two countries was the unwillingness of the German leadership to allow Poland to discuss the «victory plan» of Ukrainian President Zielenski.
Poland’s dependence on the U.S.
The allegedly dependent position of Poland on the American ally was repeatedly mentioned. For example, the authors of the telegram channel «Belarusian Front» wrote that the country «is under the ‘manual control’ of the United States». At the same time, it was stated: «Against the background of escalation of the situation and strengthening of militaristic rhetoric, Poland under the leadership of the United States continues to deploy military activities in the neighborhood of Belarus».
NATO
The military propaganda narratives about the NATO bloc focused on the following topics: escalation of the situation and preparation of the North Atlantic Alliance for war with Russia and Belarus, NATO’s position on the war in Ukraine and the issue of its accession to the organization, creation of offensive bridgeheads by the bloc in Romania and the Baltic states, preparation of France for war with Russia, as well as the election of a new secretary general.
Escalation of the situation and preparation for war with Belarus/Russia
The most frequent accusations of the bloc’s aggressive intentions were voiced. For example, the news about the drills «Geležinis Vilkas 2024-II» in Lithuania, in which more than 3.2 thousand military personnel from the North Atlantic Alliance countries took part, was commented as follows: «NATO is increasing the presence of troops and equipment near our borders. It unscrupulously seizes reserves, scares the inhabitants, clanking caterpillars, threatens with barbed wire, moats, hedgehogs, dragon teeth and other monsters. The Western beast is becoming more and more insolent». At the same time, the VoenTV program «Arsenal» of October 27 noted, that NATO has never been a defensive alliance and today also provokes war. «Since World War II, more than 250 military conflicts have occurred in 153 countries. 80% of them are the work of the States and their Alliance partners. In fact, not a single year has passed since the advent of NATO that the bloc’s military has not taken part in an armed conflict. To save a village, you have to destroy it — that’s the real motto of the NATO people,» the presenter emphasized.
Baltic bridgehead
They continued to present the bloc’s activity in the Baltic States as preparation of a place there for a future offensive against Belarus/Russia: «If we consider the Baltic bridgehead for the realization of the West’s aggressive intentions, it should be noted that NATO pays special attention to it». At the same time, it was stated that «NATO considers the Baltic as its internal sea and Russia is superfluous there, to put it mildly».
Romanian bridgehead
In a similar vein were statements about Romania: «For NATO, the Romanians are the same as the Baltics, they are not to be pitied either. Therefore, along with the Baltic bridgehead, NATO is preparing the southern segment of its «eastern flank. At the same time, Romanian troops are considered as a fresh portion of «cannon fodder» suitable for the Ukrainian «cauldron». Or Moldovan…?..».
NATO is preparing France for war with Russia
In 2025, the French army will take part in the «Dacian Spring 25» drills to be held in Romania. Propagandists called them «a large-scale operation that is part of NATO’s plans to prepare for war with Russia». Another article devoted to the subject emphasized that France is preparing its army for war with Russia precisely on NATO’s orders.
Ukraine’s accession to NATO
Against the background of the appearance of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s «victory plan», one of the points of which is the country’s accession to NATO, the narrative about the low probability of such a development was actively promoted. For example, in response to the words of Secretary General M. Rutte that Ukraine will become the 33rd member of the organization in the future, unless someone else dives in front of it, wrote the following: «NATO refused to name how many such ‘divers’ there will be in front of Ukraine.» At the same time, the «BelVPO» Telegram channel emphasized that a number of countries oppose Ukraine’s joining the NATO bloc: the United States, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, Slovenia and Spain. As it was noted, «these countries understand that Ukraine’s admission to NATO in the state it is in now automatically makes NATO, i.e. all its members, participants in an armed conflict with Russia».
NATO’s new secretary general
It was noted that after the election of the «Russophobe» M. Rutte as secretary general of the organization, «NATO’s militarism will continue in favor of war policy», and «the alliance’s further «non-interference» in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict remains under great question». Against the background of the change in NATO leadership, propagandists were particularly concerned about possible shifts in the issue of authorizing Ukraine to launch strikes with Western weapons deep into Russian territory.
NATO does not believe in Ukraine’s victory
Secretary General M. Rutte’s statement that NATO’s goal is to prevent Putin from achieving what he wants in Ukraine and to provide serious assistance to the Ukrainians so that they can fight back, caused the following reaction: «NATO officials are no longer even stuttering about defeating Russia — it is impossible. The agony is aimed at making America stronger and Europe even weaker». In parallel, drew attention to the words of the commander-in-chief of NATO’s Combined Armed Forces in Europe, K. Kavoli, that as a result of the end of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia’s military potential will be significantly strengthened. «Such a statement transparently hints at the recognition of the inevitable outcome of the conflict — Russia, despite the pressure of the West, will come out of this war with strengthened forces and clear strategic intentions«, — summarized in the telegram channel «Belarusian Front».
