The Spread of Disinformation About Ukraine and Ukrainian Refugees in Central Europe: A New Wave of Information Warfare
In the current landscape of political and informational challenges in Central Europe, efforts to disseminate false and manipulative messages aimed at discrediting Ukraine and its international partners have intensified.
During the summer of 2025, several prominent online platforms — ‘Nas Vybira’ from Poland, ProUA from the Czech Republic, and ‘News from Slovakia’ — launched a comprehensive joint project focused on exposing and counteracting fake news circulating in the region.
Over three months, these outlets published approximately 80 articles and materials that detailed dominant trends in disinformation campaigns.
Common themes included the discrediting of Ukrainian authorities, military, and society through accusations of corruption and incapacity; portraying Ukrainian refugees as either a burden or privileged group, allegedly causing conflicts with local populations; and depicting Ukrainians as a criminal or social threat.
Experts highlight that manipulations of historical memory and symbols aim to foster division and undermine solidarity among nations.
The specific narratives varied between countries: in Poland, emphasis was placed on historical disputes; in the Czech Republic, economic fears; and in Slovakia, political instability and conspiracy theories.
The Center emphasizes that these disinformation campaigns are not only driven by pro-Russian media and politicians but also actively supported by local groups pursuing their own interests.
Furthermore, anti-Ukrainian propaganda within the Visegrád countries forms part of Russia’s broader information war against Ukraine and its allies.
Previous forecasts by the Disinformation Counteraction Center warn of potential large-scale information attacks in the first half of 2025, particularly around elections in Moldova and the Czech Republic, discussions on Ukraine’s security assurances from the West, and youth emigration abroad.