Russian fake news: Poland allegedly cancels payments to Ukrainians from Jan 1

Russian propagandists have fabricated a news item allegedly published on the website of the Government of Poland

The Kremlin mass media outlets, Z-oriented Telegram channels, and pro-Russian bots on the social media platform X are spreading a screenshot of a news item, which had allegedly been published on the website of the Government of Poland. According to the so-called ‘news article’, starting from January 1, 2024, Poland is allegedly cancelling financial assistance to Ukrainian refugees.

This is another Russian fake report. There is no such article on the website of the Government of Poland, and it has never existed. In order to fabricate the fake news item, Russian propagandists used an article dated February 1, 2023. It only contains a link to a Ukrainian-language leaflet outlining the rules of staying in Poland and the possibilities of official employment for Ukrainian refugees.

The fact that the above news item is false was confirmed by the Department of Promotion and Communications of the Ministry of Family and Social Policy of the Republic of Poland in a response to an information request from an Ukrinform correspondent.

“We inform you that such information has not been published on the online pages of the Ministry of Family and Social Policy,” the Polish agency noted.

It is no coincidence that such a fake news story has appeared, as it has a certain basis. During the parliamentary election campaign in October 2023, the politicians of the ruling party did mention that financial assistance to Ukrainian refugees was a temporary measure expiring in early 2024, and the decision on extending such aid had not yet been made. However, there were no official reports on such payments being cancelled from January 1, 2024.

It is worth noting that Russian propagandists are spreading similar fake news now to create additional tension between Ukrainians and Poles amid the Polish-Ukrainian crisis related to the blockade of Ukraine’s border by Polish carriers and farmers.

The fake news stories focused on the Polish-Ukrainian relations are remaining one of the most common in Russia’s information war against Ukraine.

Earlier, Russian propagandists reported on the so-called ‘mercenary’ from Poland wanted by the Ukrainian police, as well as the fact that Ukrainians are allegedly offered only low-skilled jobs in Poland.

In addition, pro-Russian sources were spreading a fake story about Polish Leopard 2 tank crews being sent to Ukraine.

Andrii Olenin, Yurii Banakhevych