Latest news with #Gawkowski
India Today
06-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Poland claims Russian meddling in its presidential polls ahead of May 18 voting
Poland is facing an unprecedented attempt by Russia to interfere in its presidential election, the digital affairs minister said on Tuesday, as the first round of voting looms on May 18. Poland says its role as a hub for aid to Ukraine has made it a target for Russian sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation, and it has been on high alert for interference, especially after Romania cancelled a presidential election in December due to alleged Russian meddling. "During the current presidential elections in Poland, we are facing an unprecedented attempt to interfere in the electoral process from the Russian side," Krzysztof Gawkowski told a defence conference. "This is being done (by) spreading disinformation in combination with hybrid attacks on Polish critical infrastructure in order to paralyse the normal functioning of the state," Gawkowski said. Russia has repeatedly denied accusations that it interferes in foreign elections. Gawkowski said that Polish water and sewage companies, heat and power plants and state administration bodies had all been attacked, and that Russian involvement in such attacks had more than doubled this year. "Today in Poland, during every minute of my speech, a dozen or so incidents targeting critical infrastructure were recorded," he said. The Russian embassy in Warsaw declined to comment on the matter and recommended asking Gawkowski to "provide evidence for his insinuation". Prime Minister Donald Tusk blamed foreign actors for a cyberattack on the IT systems of his Civic Platform party in April. Since last year, Poland has notably reported cyberattacks on its space agency and the state news agency. Warsaw and its allies have also alleged that Moscow is behind acts of arson and sabotage around Europe. Russia dismisses these allegations.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Poland says Russia attempting to interfere in presidential election
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Krzysztof Gawkowski, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Digital Affairs, has stated that the country is facing an unprecedented attempt by Russia to interfere in its presidential election. Source: Reuters; European Pravda Details: Polish authorities state that the country's role as a logistics hub for aid to Ukraine has made it a key target for Russian cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. "During the current presidential elections in Poland, we are facing an unprecedented attempt to interfere in the electoral process from the Russian side," Gawkowski said at a defence conference. He explained that this is happening by "spreading disinformation in combination with hybrid attacks on Polish critical infrastructure in order to paralyse the normal functioning of the state". The attacks have reportedly targeted water systems, combined heat and power plants, energy facilities and state administrative bodies. The level of Russian cyber threats in Poland has more than doubled compared to last year. "Today in Poland, during every minute of my speech, a dozen or so incidents targeting critical infrastructure were recorded," the minister added. Background: The Polish government previously stated that it was working to strengthen online security and is in talks with social media platforms in anticipation of intensified cyberattacks ahead of the presidential election. On 2 April, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that his Civic Platform party had suffered a cyberattack of foreign origin. At the time, Gawkowski claimed that the attack on Tusk's party had been carried out by groups from Russia and Belarus. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Poland faces 'unprecedented' Russian interference ahead of presidential election, minister says
Russia is attempting an "unprecedented" interference campaign in Poland's presidential election, Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said on May 6, Reuters reported. Poland will hold presidential elections on May 18, with a potential runoff on June 1, as the country faces key debates over social policy, migration, and national security that could shape its political trajectory. Speaking at a defense conference, Gawkowski said Russia is spreading disinformation and launching hybrid attacks on Polish critical infrastructure to paralyze normal state functions. He said the attacks target water utilities, combined heat and power plants, power supply facilities, and public administration. The Russian cyber threat level in Poland has more than doubled compared to 2024. "Today in Poland, during every minute of my speech, a dozen such incidents targeting critical infrastructure were recorded," Gawkowski said. Poland has emerged as one of Ukraine's staunchest allies since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, supplying military, humanitarian, and economic assistance. Moscow has also interfered in Romania's 2024 presidential election through cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and funding for far-right candidate Calin Georgescu. The Polish election features candidates across the political spectrum, including Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski and Poland 2050 leader Szymon Holownia. Some candidates have expressed views or associations perceived as pro-Russian. Far-right candidate Slawomir Mentzen, while not explicitly pro-Russian, has ties to nationalist circles skeptical of Poland's pro-Western stance. Karol Nawrocki, backed by the ruling Law and Justice party, has faced criticism for statements perceived as sympathetic to Russia. Read also: Polish right takes hard line on Ukraine ahead of presidential vote We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
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First Post
06-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Poland accuses Russia of 'unprecedented' interference ahead of May 18 presidential election
Poland's government has long viewed itself as a frontline state in Europe's response to Russian aggression, particularly given its role as a central hub for delivering military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine read more Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Orthodox Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia on Sunday. Reuters Poland's digital affairs minister has warned that the country is facing an 'unprecedented attempt' by Russia to interfere in its upcoming presidential election, as the campaign enters its final stretch ahead of the first round of voting on May 18. Speaking at a defence conference on Tuesday (May 6), Krzysztof Gawkowski said the Kremlin was stepping up its hybrid warfare against Poland, combining disinformation campaigns with cyberattacks aimed at paralysing critical infrastructure and disrupting democratic processes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'During the current presidential elections in Poland, we are facing an unprecedented attempt to interfere in the electoral process from the Russian side,' Gawkowski said. 'This is being done… (by) spreading disinformation in combination with hybrid attacks on Polish critical infrastructure in order to paralyse the normal functioning of the state,' he added. Gawkowski detailed a surge in cyber intrusions targeting water and sewage systems, power plants, heating facilities, and various state administration bodies. He claimed the level of Russian cyber activity in Poland had more than doubled compared to last year. 'Today in Poland, during every minute of my speech, a dozen or so incidents targeting critical infrastructure were recorded,' he said. Poland's government has long viewed itself as a frontline state in Europe's response to Russia'a moves, particularly given its role as a central hub for delivering military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Officials have repeatedly sounded the alarm over Moscow's efforts to destabilise Polish institutions through digital means. Warsaw said in March that the Polish space agency was hit by a cyberattack, and last year, the state news agency was also likely targeted in a separate incident linked to Russian actors. Allegations of Russian involvement in subversive activities have not been confined to Poland. cancelled its presidential election in December amid similar concerns over Russian meddling. Moscow, for its part, has consistently denied involvement in foreign electoral interference and criticised Romania's decision to suspend the vote. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Russian embassy in Warsaw did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Poland and its allies have also accused Russia of being behind a wider campaign of sabotage across Europe, including suspected acts of arson. The Kremlin has dismissed those claims as unfounded. With less than two weeks until Poles head to the polls, officials in Warsaw remain on high alert, bracing for further attempts to destabilise the election process. With inputs from Reuters
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Poland Raises Defenses Against Cyberattacks Before the Vote
(Bloomberg) -- Poland is working to bolster online security and talking to social media platforms in anticipation of increased cyberattacks ahead of the presidential election, according to Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski. ICE Eyes Massive California Tent Facility Amid Space Constraints How Britain's Most Bike-Friendly New Town Got Built The Dark Prophet of Car-Clogged Cities Washington, DC, Region Braces for 'Devastating' Cuts from Congress NYC Plans for Flood Protection Without Federal Funds A so-called 'election umbrella' is designed to protect the voting process from any external interference, said Gawkowski, who is also minister of digital affairs. The government wants social media platforms to help if attacks intensify closer to the May 18 ballot, he added. Warsaw is on high alert after allegations of foreign interference in Romania's presidential election last year prompted an unprecedented top court ruling to cancel the vote and order a re-run. Gawkowski said he was confident the security services would be able to prevent similar attempts at meddling from happening in Poland. The stakes are high as Prime Minister Donald Tusk hopes his ally, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, will become the next president and help the government press on with its agenda after almost a decade of nationalist rule. Gawkowski said his ministry is in regular contact with the campaign teams of individual presidential candidates. It also met twice with representatives of companies including Meta Platforms Inc., Alphabet Inc. and Microsoft Corp., which have the authority to clamp down on disinformation efforts such as troll farms. 'Disinformation happens every day,' Gawkowski said in a Bloomberg interview. The so-called troll farms, which can spread disinformation through multiple fake accounts or profiles, could be activated shortly before election day, the minister said. 'This is what we need to pay attention to,' he said. The authorities warned in January that they were observing organized actions and provocations aimed at destabilizing the election, including attempts to recruit individuals to spread disinformation. But Poland hasn't seen any instances of foreign support being granted to candidates akin to what Elon Musk did during last month's parliamentary election in Germany, where the billionaire openly backed the far-right AfD party. 'Everyone can say what they want about the Polish election, but it's important that they don't interfere,' Gawkowski said. 'That means not setting up algorithms and not allowing for illegal financing. Today we're not seeing anything like this.' --With assistance from Fraidoon Poya. The Real Reason Trump Is Pushing 'Buy American' Snap CEO Evan Spiegel Bets Meta Can't Copy High-Tech Glasses Nvidia Looks Past DeepSeek and Tariffs for AI's Next Chapter How Trump's 'No Tax on Tips' Could Backfire for the Working Class How America Got Hooked on H Mart ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
