Poland extends heightened threat levels over Russian, Belarusian hybrid threats

Tusk announced this in the social media platform X on Thursday, May 29.

"I have decided to extend the BRAVO and BRAVO-CRP alert levels due to hybrid and cyber threats from Russia and Belarus. We will not allow external interference to affect our electoral process," Tusk said on social media.

The Polish government says the BRAVO alert level is a precaution due to the current geopolitical situation and ongoing hybrid attacks from Russia and Belarus against Poland and other EU countries. It also reflects the impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The BRAVO alert level is activated when there is an elevated and presumed terrorist threat, even if no specific target has been identified. It represents the second tier on Poland's four-level national alert scale.

In parallel, the BRAVO-CRP level applies specifically to cyber threats. It involves heightened monitoring and coordination among government agencies, particularly to protect vulnerable IT systems and infrastructure.

These alert levels serve as a directive for all government services and security agencies to remain on high alert. They aim to strengthen oversight of critical infrastructure and institutions, and to ensure a coordinated response to potential threats.

Poland's ruling party announced a cyberattack just days before the first round of the presidential election on May 18.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digitalization Krzysztof Gawkowski stated that Poland is facing an unprecedented attempt by Russia to interfere in the election process.