“The accused, acting on the instructions of a foreign emissary of an international terrorist organisation based in Poland, were spreading terrorist ideology among local Muslims and migrant workers,” reads the official statement of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). In another part of the statement, the FSB refers to “a covert cell of an international terrorist organisation which was planning a violent takeover of power and the establishment of a so-called global caliphate.”

At first glance, this may appear to be a report of a genuine threat to the security of the Russian Federation. In reality, however, it is yet another episode in the long-running series of Russian propaganda, in which Poland—alongside NATO and the European Union—plays the role of the principal villain.

We asked experts from the INFO OPS laboratory to analyse the footage prepared by the FSB. Thanks to a frame-by-frame examination, we obtained evidence indicating that this is a crude provocation. The video appears to be a staged media operation—and this for several reasons.

Signs of a Provocation – Elements of Staging

Lack of Operational Dynamics:

In many shots, the officers are seen standing in loose groups, moving slowly and without any evident time pressure. In genuine counterterrorism operations, swift, coordinated action dominates, with immediate securing of the area and neutralisation of threats. The footage is recorded from multiple convenient angles—both close-up and wide—as if the purpose were to produce visually appealing scenes for propaganda purposes. One of the officers deliberately turns to face the camera, allowing his face to be recorded—an act that contradicts the protocols of intelligence services, which require the protection of personnel identities.

Absence of Basic Security Measures:

The video does not show any buffer zone or perimeter patrols securing the location of the operation. Under standard conditions, such an area would be cordoned off with tape, vehicles, or physical barriers. Officers are seen moving with their weapons lowered, with fingers resting on the triggers rather than indexed along the frame—an elementary firearms safety breach. One purported FSB member is shown standing with his back to a potential threat, engaging in casual conversation with another officer instead of monitoring his assigned sector. There is no visible division into operational roles such as assault, perimeter security, or communication, which suggests a lack of genuine tactical preparation.

Deviations from Operational Doctrine:

At no point is a commanding officer visible overseeing the operation. In professional settings, the commander—or at least a designated radio operator—is responsible for controlling the tempo, coordinating communication, and managing the distinct phases of the arrest. After the alleged suspects are detained, no standard procedure is followed to check for explosives, concealed weapons, or potential links to a broader network. Officers stand near the suspects in an unstructured formation, with no designated observation sectors and without the use of specialist reconnaissance or security equipment.

Absence of Psychophysical Features Typical of Real Operations

Lack of Adrenaline Response:
In genuine counterterrorism operations, one typically observes tense muscles, rapid movements, and short, urgent verbal commands. In the footage under analysis, the movements of the officers are slow, no audible commands are issued, and conversations take place in a calm, unhurried tone.

No Signs of Situational Stress Among the Detainees:

The individuals being detained show no typical signs of arrest-related stress. They do not resist, panic, attempt to flee, or make any sudden movements. They remain seated calmly, which clearly indicates that this is a staged scenario.

The video, which was intended to convey the effectiveness of the FSB and the menace of alleged “Polish terrorism,” reveals itself as a poorly staged performance. The slow pace, lack of professionalism, and deliberately aestheticised shots suggest a piece of propaganda rather than documentation of an actual operation.

This is yet another example of how the Kremlin utilises audiovisual media to construct a narrative of a “besieged fortress” while demonising the West—this time with Poland cast as the principal antagonist.

The Kremlin’s Script: Poland as an Instigator of Chaos

The accusation that Warsaw is inspiring terrorism in Russia is no coincidence. It constitutes yet another step in the broader framework of the Kremlin’s information strategy, which for months has been intensifying narratives that portray Poland as a “provocateur”, a “puppet of Washington”, and a “source of regional destabilisation.” This narrative has now been reinforced with the addition of a terrorism motif—a key term in the Russian propaganda lexicon that immediately triggers fear and a sense of threat within society.

It is no accident that this message is being repeated across Russian social media and news platforms, including the Arabic-language version of Sputnik:

“The discovery of a Central Asian extremist cell in the Nizhny Novgorod region promoting terrorist ideology on the orders of Poland.”

Such a sentence is a textbook example of disinformation: it is simple, emotionally charged, and easy to disseminate further across the media space, including beyond Russia’s borders. The amplification of this narrative by Sputnik Arabic indicates an effort to reach audiences in the Middle East and Asia, where accusations against the West of fomenting chaos may find a receptive audience.

A Psychological Operation Targeting the Domestic Audience

Why has the Kremlin chosen to take this step now? It is worth viewing this decision within a broader context. Russia is currently grappling with the escalating costs of the war in Ukraine, severe economic sanctions, and mounting social tensions. In such conditions, a classic mechanism for managing public sentiment is the diversion of attention by designating an “external enemy”.

In its official statement, the Federal Security Service not only lays the blame on Poland but also highlights the effectiveness of its own actions:

“The FSB in the Nizhny Novgorod region has thwarted the activities of a covert cell of an international terrorist organisation banned in Russia, consisting of seven citizens from a Central Asian country.”

The message is unequivocal: had it not been for the vigilance of the security services, Russian citizens would have fallen victim to a foreign plot. This type of communication serves not only to reinforce trust in the state security apparatus but also to justify the further restriction of civil liberties.

The International Dimension: Demonising Poland and NATO

The inclusion of Poland in the narrative surrounding terrorism is, at the same time, an attempt to weaken its standing as a key regional actor and a committed ally of Ukraine. Russian media regularly feature themes portraying Poland as an “aggressor preparing provocations” or as a “state executing NATO’s anti-Russian directives.” Now, a new label has been added to this list: that of a “sponsor of terrorism.”

The demonisation of Poland also serves as a signalling tool aimed at third countries. The Kremlin has been systematically constructing a narrative in which the West—with Poland as one of its principal agents—is responsible for global destabilisation. This messaging line is specifically designed to resonate in countries of the Global South, where anti-Western sentiments are often strong and susceptible to such interpretations.

Propaganda Techniques in Action

An analysis of the FSB’s messaging and Russian media coverage reveals a full spectrum of propaganda techniques. These include:

• Personalisation of the threat: Identifying a “foreign emissary from Poland” lends the narrative a sense of specificity and immediacy.
• Demonisation of the adversary: Poland is cast as a symbol of Western aggression.
• Amplification of the message: The claim is repeated across multiple Russian information channels, including Sputnik Arabic.
• Cultivation of fear: Phrases such as “global caliphate” and “violent seizure of power” serve to intensify emotional reactions.

This messaging operates on multiple levels. First, it stokes fear of an “external enemy” who could be anywhere—among migrants, in mosques, on the street. Second, it consolidates the population around the Kremlin as the sole guarantor of security. Third, it lays the psychological groundwork for possible retaliatory measures against Poland, whether in the information space or potentially even in the military domain.

Although at first glance it may sound like the plot of a B-grade film, Russian media present the story in earnest: Poland is alleged to have orchestrated the activities of an extremist cell in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Accusing another state of inspiring terrorism is among the gravest charges that can be levelled in international discourse. Yet it is worth asking whether this is truly about facts—or rather about a meticulously crafted propaganda message.

Absurd That Makes Sense in the Kremlin’s Logic

In the West, such accusations would likely elicit little more than a condescending smirk. Yet within the logic of the Kremlin, this absurdity fits seamlessly into a narrative that has been carefully and consistently constructed over the years. The portrayal of “Poland as an aggressor” is far from new: Poland has previously been depicted as a “hysterical Russophobe,” a “NATO pawn,” or a “provocateur of war on the eastern flank.” Now, another role has been added to the repertoire—that of a “sponsor of international terrorism.”

Propaganda as a Weapon

Russian propaganda has long functioned as a well-oiled machine. In its messaging, no words are accidental. Phrases like “global caliphate,” “violent seizure of power,” and “foreign emissary from Poland” are carefully chosen to provoke specific emotional responses: fear, anger, and mistrust. The purpose is not to inform, but to mobilise—to shape a narrative mirror in which the Kremlin appears as the sole force capable of averting chaos.

Moreover, the reinforcement of this message through Sputnik’s Arabic-language channels is further evidence that the Kremlin’s target audience extends beyond its domestic population. It is aimed also at countries of the Global South, where narratives about the “malevolent West destabilising the world” often find fertile ground.

Why the West Should Remain Vigilant

The accusation that Poland is supporting terrorism is not merely a case of routine propaganda—it also serves as a warning to democratic societies: the Russian disinformation apparatus recognises no taboos. It is prepared to exploit any narrative, no matter how toxic, including one as incendiary as terrorism sponsorship, to achieve its strategic objectives.

For Poland, this is nothing new. For months, Russian media have accused Warsaw of “provoking conflict in Ukraine,” “expanding hostile NATO infrastructure,” or “preparing an invasion of Belarus.” This time, however, the Kremlin has raised the stakes. In Russian political discourse, terrorism represents one of the gravest possible accusations—previously levelled primarily at the United States or the United Kingdom.

That Poland has now “graduated” into this “elite” group of designated enemies should come as no surprise. As an active NATO and EU member, a key hub for support to Ukraine, and a vocal advocate for strengthening the Alliance’s eastern flank, Warsaw is a natural target for Kremlin-directed information operations.

It is important to recognise that this is not only a strategic game directed at the West. It is also a domestic instrument of social control within Russia. The average Russian citizen, upon hearing of a “Polish sponsor of terrorists,” is reinforced in the belief that their country is surrounded by threats. Migrants from Central Asia are recast in this narrative as potential Western agents—providing the Kremlin with a rationale for heightened surveillance, arrests, and the continued erosion of civil liberties.

Conclusion: A Dangerous and Predictable Narrative

Although the accusation against Poland may seem grotesque, it should not be dismissed lightly. It is not a random outburst but part of the Kremlin’s long-term strategy—one that increasingly employs disinformation as a weapon: ruthless, boundless, and unrestrained in its choice of means.

For Poland and its NATO allies, this is a warning signal. We must assume that similar accusations will recur—perhaps in even more aggressive forms. And we must be prepared to counter them, not only through firm rebuttals but also by actively strengthening our societies’ informational resilience.

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A public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland within the frame of “Public Diplomacy 2024-2025: The European Dimension and Countering Disinformation” contest

The publication expresses only the views of the author and cannot be identified with the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.