Polish foreign minister warns of possible new Russian provocations

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has warned that Russia is planning cyberattacks or other provocations.

Source: Sikorski on 9 July, at a joint press conference with the French foreign minister, as reported by RMF24 and European Pravda

Details: Sikorski was asked to comment on recent media reports regarding a potential threat from Russia.

"The Russians are planning something again; we have credible information," he said.

Sikorski added the public warning is intended to deter Moscow from implementing these plans.

The head of Poland's Foreign Ministry noted that he cannot comment on intelligence data but stressed that Russia has long been waging a hybrid war against Poland and France.

He said this involves cyberattacks on state systems, attempts to gather information on critical infrastructure using shadow fleet vessels, arson, sabotage on railways and drone attacks.

Sikorski also recalled that before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia allegedly prepared false flag provocations to create a pretext for starting the war. At the time, American intelligence warnings helped thwart those plans.

"Today you must believe us – not just me, but other countries too – that we have credible information that the Russians are planning something again. The purpose of these warnings is to discourage them from carrying out these provocations," he said.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, for his part, confirmed that Paris is also recording increased Russian hybrid activity.

He said Poland and France have been at the centre of Russian hybrid attacks for four years, and as Russia faces increasing difficulties on the battlefield, Moscow is resorting to provocations ever more frequently.

Barrot stressed that the allies' response must be continued pressure on Russia and continued financial and military support for Ukraine.

Background:

• It was reported that the United States allegedly passed Warsaw a warning that Moscow is considering an armed provocation against Poland to "test NATO's resolve".
• Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed concerns about a possible Russian provocation aimed at "testing NATO's resolve".
• Latvian intelligence also reported that Russia is preparing possible provocations against the Baltic states or Poland, including drone attacks and other hybrid actions, to force NATO countries to stop supporting Ukraine.

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