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Polish intelligence services say Russia is intensifying hybrid operations across European Union countries by recruiting radicalized youth, members of criminal networks, and foreign nationals, UATV English reports.
The information was reported by Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council on Telegram.
Head of Poland’s Internal Security Agency Rafal Syrysko stated that Russia is scaling up hybrid operations in EU countries by massively recruiting operatives online.
According to him, these are so-called “cheap agents” used for arson attacks, surveillance, intelligence gathering, and other acts of sabotage. Poland has already recorded a growing number of such incidents.
“According to the Polish side’s assessment, radicalized youth, representatives of criminal circles, and foreigners are actively involved in such activities. Some of the operatives may not even realize they are acting in the interests of Russian intelligence services,” the statement said.
It is noted that the Kremlin uses this tactic because of its simplicity, low cost, and the ability to minimize direct links to Russian intelligence agencies. At the same time, Moscow is gradually moving toward creating more organized sabotage networks involving trained operatives.
The Center for Countering Disinformation stressed that by scaling up its hybrid war against the West, Russia seeks to destabilize the situation in Europe, undermine trust in state institutions, and influence the level of public support for Ukraine.
As previously reported, Russia continues its information warfare campaign against Poland by spreading propaganda aimed at discrediting the Polish armed forces and discouraging citizens from signing military service contracts.
