Poland rejects Russian claims on Moscow assassination plot as disinformation

Warsaw denies allegations of involvement in an alleged Moscow assassination attempt, calling Russian accusations part of a broader disinformation campaign.

Poland has firmly dismissed Russian allegations linking Polish special services to an alleged assassination attempt on a senior Russian general in Moscow, calling the claims a clear case of state-driven disinformation. The rebuttal comes amid heightened tensions and follows a series of accusations circulated by Russian security agencies and echoed across international media, according to reporting by Polish broadcaster RMF24.

The response was issued by Poland’s military counterintelligence after statements released by Russia’s security apparatus suggested Polish involvement in events surrounding an alleged plot against a Russian general.

Russian accusations trigger official response

The controversy stems from a statement published on 9 February by the Federal Security Service. In outlining its version of an alleged assassination attempt on General Vladimir Alekseyev in Moscow, the FSB claimed that one of the detained suspects, described as an “SBU agent from Ternopil”, had been recruited with the alleged assistance of Polish special services.

According to the FSB narrative, the suspect’s son, who reportedly lives in Poland, was involved in the recruitment process. This claim was included in a single line of the statement but was widely picked up and circulated by Western media outlets, amplifying its political impact.

Polish officials reacted swiftly, denying any connection and warning against the uncritical repetition of Russian intelligence claims.

Polish counterintelligence: ‘Typical disinformation’

Speaking to local media, including RMF24, the head of Poland’s military counterintelligence, Jarosław Strużyk, described the Russian accusations as “a typical example of disinformation.”

Strużyk argued that Russia consistently promotes a false narrative portraying itself and Belarus as victims of Western pressure. “At every opportunity, Russia reinforces the claim that it is under attack from the West,” he said, adding that Poland is frequently targeted as part of this strategy.

On the same day as the FSB statement, Russian foreign intelligence services also accused Poland and other countries of actively working to bring about political change in Belarus, accusations Warsaw has repeatedly rejected.

Link to Polish espionage arrest suggested

Strużyk suggested that the renewed focus on Poland may be partially linked to the recent detention of a Polish Ministry of Defence employee suspected of spying for Russia. While he did not provide operational details, he implied that Moscow’s accusations could be retaliatory or designed to distract attention from its intelligence setbacks.

“I see nothing unusual in the fact that Russian authorities resort to this narrative,” Strużyk noted. “But it is surprising when such rhetoric finds its way into reputable official agencies, such as Reuters. It is disturbing, to say the least.”

The comment reflects growing concern among European security officials about how quickly intelligence claims, even unverified ones, can shape public discourse once they enter the global news cycle.

Poland stresses legal framework and transparency

The Polish authorities emphasised that the national security services strictly conduct all actions within the law. Strużyk emphasised that Poland does not engage in covert operations outside its legal mandate, and he rejected any suggestion of involvement in violent actions abroad.

This insistence on legality and transparency is part of Warsaw’s broader effort to counter what it sees as coordinated information warfare. Poland has repeatedly warned allies that Russian intelligence narratives are increasingly designed to blur responsibility, provoke diplomatic friction, and undermine trust between NATO partners.

Information warfare in a wider context

The episode highlights how accusations of espionage and assassination attempts are now closely intertwined with information campaigns. A single line in an official statement can carry strategic weight, especially when amplified internationally without context or rebuttal.

For Poland, the issue is not only about rejecting one specific allegation but about pushing back against a pattern. As tensions between Russia and NATO remain high, officials in Warsaw expect similar narratives to continue and possibly intensify.

What is clear is that Poland intends to contest these claims publicly and forcefully, framing them not as isolated incidents but as part of a broader disinformation ecosystem.