Election Tensions Rise: Russian Meddling Allegations in Poland

Poland is grappling with alleged Russian attempts to meddle in its presidential elections, according to the nation's digital affairs minister. This revelation comes as Poland enters the final stretch of its election campaign, with voting slated for May 18. Poland's pivotal role as a supporter of Ukraine has ostensibly attracted Russian efforts to disrupt its electoral process through cyberattacks and disinformation.

The Polish government has expressed serious concerns about unprecedented levels of interference. Critical infrastructure, including water and sewage services, power plants, and state administration bodies, have been reportedly targeted. Krzysztof Gawkowski, speaking at a defense conference, highlighted the surge in cyberattacks, noting a significant increase compared to the previous year.

Incidents of Russian interference have been recorded at an alarming rate, with numerous incidents documented every minute. Earlier, Warsaw reported a cyberattack on its space agency, further compounding tensions. The Russian embassy in Warsaw has yet to respond to these serious allegations. Meanwhile, Russia rebuffs the accusations, maintaining its stance of non-interference.

(With inputs from agencies.)