Poland Accuses Russia of Exploiting School Stabbings for Disinformation
Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Russia tried to use two school knife attacks in Poland to spread false information and provoke public fear. The attacks in the Mazovia region killed one school janitor and injured 11 people, and authorities found no foreign involvement. Police checked nearly 35,000 schools and detained 59 people while cyber defense teams monitored online threats.
Polish officials linked the two incidents to a wider information threat rather than foreign operational involvement. The first attack occurred in Ostrołęka, where a 19-year-old wounded nine people with a machete-style blade; the next day, in Leszczydół-Nowiny, a 15-year-old former student killed a 37-year-old caretaker and hurt two others, reportedly wearing a camera that could have recorded the assault.
The defense minister pointed to an earlier pattern, noting false online claims during the September 2024 southwestern floods, when nine people died but rumors inflated the toll. He said military cyber defense units had flagged hostile efforts to amplify the school attacks, while police inspected almost 35,000 schools and held 59 people.
The attacks and the alleged disinformation campaign may deepen anxiety among students, parents, teachers, and school staff in Mazovia and beyond. Temporary closures and visible security checks could disrupt routines, while online rumors may make families feel less safe. The episode could also increase public scrutiny of how quickly authorities identify and counter false narratives, potentially affecting trust in official communication. At the same time, the broad police and cyber monitoring response may reassure some communities, though it could raise questions about pressure on schools and civil liberties.