Kremlin Disinformation: The Faces Behind the Lies

Combating it requires confronting their lies. Who are these individuals? They include compromised journalists, agents of the FSB, officers in Russian foreign intelligence, and political figures such as Vladimir Putin and former president Dmitry Medvedev). In Russia, disinformation has a human face. A list of individuals behind it could therefore be compiled, and indeed, some already face EU sanctions. Disinformation has become a central element of Russia’s political strategy—particularly since 2014, following the annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of conflict in Donbas. As a member of both NATO and the EU, Poland has become a primary target.

Within this strategy, Russian journalists employed by state media play a crucial role. They help legitimise Kremlin narratives, demonise Poland, and blur the line between information and manipulation.

Russia’s Anti-Polish Propaganda Media

Russian media operates under tight state control. Key media outlets such as Rossiya 1, RT (Russia Today), Sputnik, Komsomolskaya Pravda, and Izvestia maintain close ties to the Kremlin. These outlets serve as tools for promoting Russia’s foreign policy, pushing narratives that target so-called “Russophobic” countries. Poland, due to its strong opposition to Russian aggression and its support for Ukraine, is viewed as a particularly serious threat. As a result, entire media ecosystems—including television stations and internet  portals—have been devoted to spreading disinformation about Poland.

This leads to a systematic production of alternative realities. Russian state-controlled media (including Rossiya 1, RT, and Sputnik) do more than twist facts; they construct entire alternative worlds, advancing narratives such as “the denazification of Ukraine,” “NATO biolabs operating in Poland,” and “Europe’s slide towards fascism.” These are not mere lies—they are total replacements for reality. This form of deception relies on the notion that nobody tells the truth, yet everyone pretends to believe the lies. Authorities and their compliant journalists cultivate cynicism within society. What counts is not the truth, but what works. This fosters social apathy, creating fertile ground for authoritarianism.

One example of such media is Zvezda TV (Телеканал Звезда), a state-owned television channel controlled by the Russian Ministry of Defence. It is part of the Krasnaya Zvezda media group, which also includes radio and military publications. Any attempt to describe the station’s output must acknowledge, first and foremost, its military propaganda. Zvezda serves as a key propaganda mouthpiece for the Kremlin, promoting the activities of the Russian army, information warfare, and narratives aligned with government policy. The channel broadcasts military, historical, and geopolitical content, frequently portraying Russia as a military and civilisational superpower.

Zvezda is known for spreading disinformation, particularly in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian war and international relations. It frequently broadcasts military parades, Russian army exercises, and speeches by Russian authorities. Owing to its close affiliation with the Russian Ministry of Defence (MOD), its content is largely characterised as official propaganda. Zvezda often presents content targeting NATO, Ukraine, and the West, emphasising a perceived threat to Russia. Zvezda is available on Russian cable and satellite television. It has a website and social media channels, many of which have been blocked in the West following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Key Figures in Russian Anti-Polish Disinformation

Dmitry Kiselyov

General Director of Rossiya Segodnya media group and host of a flagship weekly news programme Vesti Nedeli. Kiselyov frequently portrays Poland as a revanchist nation seeking to reclaim territories in Ukraine and Belarus and destabilise the region. Kiselyov has also made numerous statements alleging Polish attempts to falsify the history of the Second World War.

Olga Skabeyeva and Yevgeny Popov

A married couple who host 60 Minutes, a prominent propaganda talk show. Skabeyeva, often referred to as “Putin’s iron doll  (по аналогии с „железной леди”),” frequently engages in personal attacks against Poland, accusing the country of promoting Nazism.

Vladimir Solovyov

One of Russia’s most recognisable propagandists and host of Evening with Vladimir Solovyov. He regularly accuses Poland of plotting to invade western Ukraine, harbouring animosity towards Russians, and engaging in espionage on behalf of the United States.

Margarita Simonyan

Editor-in-chief of RT and Sputnik news agency. As a media strategist, Simonyan oversees the international distribution of Russian narratives. Her work includes efforts to damage Poland’s reputation  on the international stage by associating it with “information colonialism” and “historical distortion”.

The Fight Against Evil

Russian disinformation targeting Poland is part of a broader, almost mythical, narrative. Historical constructs, such as the cult of the Great Patriotic War, the demonisation of the West, and the myth of the “Russian world,” are elements of a propagandistic sacred space, allowing lies to take on the appearance of holiness.                                                                                 Central to this worldview is the narrative of “Western evil.” It is a propaganda concept often used by various political and ideological forces to undermine the values and influence of Western nations, including democracy, individual liberty, human rights, or capitalism. While it was particularly popular during the Cold War, this narrative continues to play a significant role in the contemporary world, especially in authoritarian countries or counties whose ideology is rooted in an anti-Western worldview. A key element of the “Western evil” narrative is the moral decline of the West. Western civilisation is portrayed as domain of moral decay, hedonism, and is associated with the promotion of anti-traditional values, such as the rights of sexual minorities or freedom in the interpretation of gender roles. In addition, it is criticised for the culture of consumerism.

Western societies are often criticised in Russia for their materialism and addiction to consumerism, which allegedly lead to spiritual impoverishment and environmental destruction. Russia, reminiscent of the Soviet era, continues to criticise neocolonialism and imperialism. The West is often accused of dominating weaker countries through economic policies or cultural and military influence. The undermining of religious authorities and traditions by the West is equally important for Russian disinformation. The West is accused of promoting secularism and a lack of respect for traditional religious and national values.

Furthermore, Western technological corporations have faced criticism for their alleged role in societal surveillance and manipulation. Russian propaganda routinely accuses the West of hypocrisy, double standards, and interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states. This rhetoric serves to legitimise the Russian model of power as an alternative to to what they portray as a declining liberal democracy.                          It is also worth noting the numerous parallels between anti-Western propaganda in Russia and the anti-Western ideology of radical Islamist groups. Much like Moscow, extremist Islamist movements view the West as an adversary. The narrative of the “Great Satan” and “Western evil” is a key component of their media messaging as well.

Anti-globalisation movements share Moscow’s perception of the West. Criticism of capitalism and large Western corporations forms a central link between groups opposing globalisation and Western hegemony, and the narratives promoted by Moscow. The “Western evil” narrative appeals to a sense of injustice, frustration with global inequalities, and a yearning for traditional values. Its power lies in its ability to depict the West as the culprit behind various social, economic, and political problems affecting people worldwide, a sentiment Moscow seeks to be the voice of.

Themes in Russian Disinformation Against Poland

It is possible to identify key themes in Russian disinformation and fake news concerning Poland and its people. Russian media are conducting an extensive disinformation campaign against Poland, aiming to undermine its international standing, erode public trust in state institutions, and sow discord between Poland and its allies. Analysis of Russian media narratives reveals several recurring patterns, allowing to identify the main directions of this disinformation.

1. Poland as a “Russophobic Aggressor”

Russian media portray Poland as obsessively hostile towards Russia, accusing it of inciting war and seeking Russia’s destruction. Poland is depicted as consumed by hatred towards Russia. This is linked to other false accusations. Poland is described as a a “NATO puppet” advancing American interests at the expense of European security. Kremlin propaganda attempts to paint Poland as unwilling to engage in dialogue, only escalating tensions, thus presenting it as an aggressive nation seeking confrontation and posing a threat to peace. Poland is even accused of provoking World War III by hosting NATO troops and supplying arms to Ukraine.

2. Poland as Threat to Ukraine

Russia spreads the narrative that Poland seeks to annex western Ukraine (Lviv and Volhynia) under the guise of military and humanitarian aid. Kremlin media claim that Poland exploits the conflict to expand its influence in Ukraine, allegedly controlling Kyiv and secretly deploying troops or organising covert missions to subjugate Ukraine. The underlying aim is to create a conflict between Poland and Ukraine, undermining their cooperation.

3. Poland as a Vassal of the USA and NATO

Russia frequently portrays Poland as an American colony, devoid of independent policy and merely following Washington’s orders. Kremlin propaganda suggests Poland is willing to sacrifice its security and economy to appease the USA. Some narratives claim Poland seeks to escalate conflict with Russia to provoke NATO intervention, thereby eroding public trust in international alliances and discouraging cooperation with the West.

4. Diminishing Poland’s Importance in Europe

Russian disinformation regarding Poland is multifaceted, aiming to incite discord between Poland and Ukraine, Germany, and other allies, as well as undermine trust in the government, NATO, and the EU. As a key state on NATO’s eastern flank, Poland is a prime target for Russia. Kremlin media, therefore, consistently work to weaken Poland’s role in the EU, promoting the idea that Germany seeks to subordinate Poland through economic and political pressure. The narrative suggests Berlin aims to restore its influence in Poland, citing alleged betrayals such as insufficient military aid to Ukraine or past energy cooperation with Russia. This deepens mistrust between Poland and Germany and weakening Western unity. Poland is portrayed as seeking to revise its borders with Ukraine, Lithuania, and Belarus.

5. Portraying Poland as a Failed State

Russian propaganda often emphasises that Poland is a country struggling with economic crisis, institutional collapse and mass emigration, repeating a false narrative about a lack of sovereignty and alleged control of Poland by Brussels and Washington. Poland is depicted as a country with no future, whose citizens are exploited as cheap labour in Europe. This aims to undermine the morale of Poles and erode confidence in their own country. This false image is created to portray Poland as a country supporting the “Nazi regime in Kyiv”.

6. Reinforcing Historical Divisions

Kremlin propaganda exploits historical disputes (Volhynia, the Second World War), repeating false narratives about Polish co-responsibility for the Holocaust and ingratitude towards the USSR for “liberation” in 1945. Russia suggests that Poland is prone to imperialism, recalling the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and its eastward expansion, intending to create discord between Poland and its neighbours.

7. Disinformation on Energy

Russia exploits its role in energy supplies to manipulate public opinion in Poland. Kremlin propaganda accuses Poland of improper energy policies, suggesting that without Russian gas and coal, Poles will freeze in winter, emphasising the alleged effects of sanctions, which “harm Poland more than Russia”. This undermines support for sanctions against Russia and legitimises the earlier dependence of the EU and Poland on Russian resources.

Conclusions

Russian journalists today function as information officers, implementing a strategy of cognitive warfare. Their anti-Polish activities fit into a broad context of psychological and disinformation operations aimed at delegitimising Poland’s position in international politics, as well as undermining public confidence in state institutions and strategic allies. Recognising the mechanisms of action of these journalists is an important step towards building information resilience in Central and Eastern Europe.

But there is something even worse: the Russian culture of lies. Contemporary information policy of the Russian Federation, especially after 2014, reveals a structural attachment to lies as a tool of power. This phenomenon transcends classical propaganda and takes on the character of a culture of lies – a system of norms, values and communication practices in which truth loses its importance and fiction becomes a mechanism of legitimisation.

The culture of lies enables illogical, contradictory messages, such as the claim that “Putin did not start the war, but he must win it”. The Russian culture of lies is neither a new nor a random phenomenon. It is a consciously cultivated system of political communication that serves to consolidate power, distort collective identity and disorient society – both internal and international. In this model, lying becomes an act of loyalty to the state, not a departure from the norm. There is, therefore, an urgent need for a serious analysis of this phenomenon from a historical, cultural and political science perspective, but that is a story for another time.

Marek Melnyk