New wave of fakes in Poland: why Ukrainian products are under attack again.

Anti-Ukrainian disinformation in Poland

According to ТСН: A new wave of anti-Ukrainian disinformation is observed in the Polish segment of Facebook, particularly the spread of fakes about supposedly 'dangerous products from Ukraine'.

The Center for Counteracting Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine informs that posts call for a boycott of products with the code 482, which is the standard EAN barcode for products made in Ukraine. It is claimed that 'all Ukrainian products are contaminated'.

'Such fakes parasitize on real cases where certain batches of products — not necessarily from Ukraine — do not meet quality standards. However, the propagandists deliberately generalize isolated incidents to create a false impression of a 'total danger' of Ukrainian products,' the message states.

The center notes that Polish institutions regularly publish warnings about specific products that do not meet standards. Thus, the generalization that 'all Ukrainian food is toxic' is a classic example of disinformation.

'Manipulation with code 482 is part of an anti-Ukrainian campaign that has intensified in Poland since the beginning of the full-scale war. Its goal is to undermine trust between Ukrainians and Poles, sow hostility between the two nations, and increase pressure on political decisions in Warsaw regarding support for Ukraine. This fully aligns with the goals of the Kremlin's information policy in Poland,' the CPD emphasized.

Moreover, it is noted that the number of attacks on Ukrainians in Poland is rising. According to law enforcement, between January and July this year, 543 hate crimes were recorded, which is 41% more than in the same period last year when 384 such incidents were registered.

The situation with disinformation and attacks on Ukrainians in Poland highlights the challenges faced by Ukrainians abroad. The spread of fakes not only damages the image of Ukrainian goods but can also lead to increased social tension. It is important to continue informational campaigns that refute false information and strengthen trust between nations.