Summary
Several Polish-language Telegram channels are sharing pro-Russian disinformation and propaganda. These channels often spread misleading information by posing as news services and cite Russian state media and officials.
Key Facts
- A misleading video showing men in camouflage burning an American flag and portraits was shared on a Polish Telegram channel.
- The Telegram channel Polska Grupa Informacyjna is one of 22 identified by the BBC as spreading pro-Russian content in Polish.
- These channels have over 150,000 subscribers combined and often present themselves as impartial news services.
- They frequently cite banned Russian state media like RT and Sputnik, known for disinformation.
- The channels often portray Ukrainian leaders and soldiers as "Nazis" and claim they are controlled by the United States.
- Some channels share false information, like implying the Bucha killings did not happen.
- These channels emerged around the time of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with some initially publishing in Russian before switching to Polish.
- Despite low Telegram use in Poland, false messages are amplified and spread to other platforms with larger audiences.