Poland warns of Russian psyops amid Storm Boris floods

The Polish cyberspace defense forces reported the information.

The report highlights that the influence apparatus uses selective information to evoke "fear and helplessness" among Polish recipients.

"Due to the floods in southwestern Poland, we are witnessing an information and psychological operation attributed to the Russian Federation. The apparatus of influence uses selective information techniques in cyberspace, aiming to stir fear and helplessness among the public. One element of the operation is an attempt to undermine trust in the security forces," stated Polish cyber forces.

The state called on Polish citizens “not to give in to emotions” and to check the sources of information.

“In particular, beware of content that aims to provoke a strong emotional reaction based on images of suffering and destruction,” the material emphasized.

Flooding in Europe

On September 15, the BBC reported that as a result of heavy rains caused by storm Boris, a firefighter died in Austria during rescue operations, 1 person drowned in Poland, and 4 people died and 2 went missing in Romania. In the Czech Republic, the water began to demolish the first houses.

Due to flooding, 27 Ukrainian children cannot return home from Austria. The diplomatic missions of both countries are working to resolve the problem.

On September 19, the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary, burst its banks and began flooding the streets. The city expected the flood to peak in the evening of September 21.

Around 1,000 people were evacuated from their homes due to severe flooding in northern Italy, with two citizens reported missing.

On September 20, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at a press conference in Wroclaw, alongside the prime ministers of Poland, Slovakia, Austria, and the Czech Republic, that the European Union would provide access to €10 billion from the Cohesion Fund to assist Central and Eastern European countries impacted by the floods.

On September 21, Jan Grabiec, the head of the Polish Prime Minister's Office, stated that the floods in southwestern Poland had put more than 2 million people at risk. A state of natural disaster has been declared in 749 settlements.