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Foreign intelligence services are highly active in Poland – ABW report. 'Rzeczpospolita' describes it first
🇵🇱 Poland /Conflict & Security

Foreign intelligence services are highly active in Poland – ABW report. 'Rzeczpospolita' describes it first

From Rzeczpospolita · (5m ago) Polish Critical tone

Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A new report from Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) details increased intelligence activity by Russia, Belarus, and China in Poland.
  • Russian and Belarusian services are engaged in disinformation campaigns, aiming to discredit Poland and sow discord, while also employing methods similar to special forces for reconnaissance and sabotage.
  • Chinese intelligence is also actively building influence and conducting operations within Poland, posing new challenges alongside terrorism threats, particularly concerning the radicalization of young people.

Warsaw – Poland is facing a significant escalation in foreign intelligence operations, with a new report from the Internal Security Agency (ABW) highlighting heightened activity from Russia, Belarus, and China. Published after a 12-year hiatus, the ABW's public report for 2024-2025 details the primary threats confronting Polish counterintelligence, emphasizing the coordinated and increasingly aggressive nature of these foreign services.

Years 2024–2025 were characterized by increased and growing activity, primarily from Russian and closely cooperating Belarusian special services, as well as Chinese services.

— ABW Report AuthorsDescribing the main intelligence threats facing Poland.

The report paints a stark picture of Russian intelligence operations, which are not only focused on information warfare aimed at discrediting Poland internationally and undermining public trust but also increasingly employing methods akin to special forces. This includes reconnaissance and sabotage, with analysts noting that Russian services are willing to accept fatalities in their operations, potentially through planned attacks on critical infrastructure and even public spaces. The use of 'low-cost agents,' often recruited via platforms like Telegram, is also a significant concern.

Russia is ready to kill.

— ABW OfficersIndicating the willingness of Russian services to inflict casualties.

Beyond the Russian threat, the ABW report underscores the growing influence of Chinese intelligence services operating within Poland. While the specifics of their methods are less detailed in this summary, their active presence signifies a complex geopolitical landscape for Poland. Furthermore, the report touches upon emerging challenges in counter-terrorism, particularly the worrying trend of radicalization among young people, adding another layer of complexity to national security concerns. The ABW's renewed commitment to public communication through such reports signals a determination to keep the public informed about the evolving security environment.

Russian special services are increasingly using methods characteristic of special forces, namely reconnaissance and sabotage.

— ABW AnalystsDetailing the evolving tactics of Russian intelligence.
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Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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