Dobrzynski noted that the searches were carried out as part of an investigation that was completed last January with the filing of an indictment against a Polish citizen who is suspected of spying for Russian intelligence. “The man, a member of Polish and European parliamentarians, carried out tasks initiated and financed by Russian intelligence collaborators, which included, among other things, propaganda and disinformation activities and political provocations,” he explained. “The goal was to build Russian spheres of influence in Europe.”
He added that the European intelligence services documented “activities designed to organize pro-Russian initiatives and media campaigns in the EU countries”, with the aim of promoting Russian foreign policy within the EU countries and undermining Ukraine’s position and the image of the EU mechanisms. “To achieve these goals, an international website was established, where articles, statements, comments and interviews with a biased pro-Russian tone, related to the current international situation, including the war, were published,” he said.
Yesterday, the civil counter-espionage service of the Czech Republic also announced the disclosure of a Russian network that tried to influence the upcoming elections, when the reports show that the Russian activity was focused on Poland, Hungary, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. “The operation shed light on Russia’s efforts to gain influence on the territory of an EU country and to manipulate the political processes,” the Czech intelligence service said.
As a result, sanctions were imposed on Viktor Medvedchuk and Artem Marchevsky, pro-Russian Ukrainian politicians close to the Kremlin, and the Czech-registered “Col Europe” company associated with Medvedchuk, who is now in Russia after being released from a Ukrainian prison. According to sources privy to the details, they were involved in the transfer of funds to politicians from the far-right Alternative for Germany party and to politicians from France, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Hungary.