“Cyberwar Is Already in Poland,” Polish Deputy Prime Minister Says

Why It Matters

The announcement signals a decisive shift in Poland’s cyber‑defence posture, reinforcing national security and setting a benchmark for EU states facing similar Russian threats. It also underscores the growing importance of digital sovereignty and independent fact‑checking in countering hybrid warfare.

Key Takeaways

• Poland neutralises 99% of daily Russian cyber attacks.
• Cybersecurity strategy 2026‑2029 expands protection to 40,000 entities.
• New “Sprawdzam To” platform targets Russian disinformation.
• Digital sovereignty push aims to localise data centres and cloud services.
• Defence24 Days highlighted Poland’s shift from cyber neglect to resilience.

Pulse Analysis

Poland’s admission that a cyber‑war with Russia is already underway marks a rare public acknowledgement of a threat that has largely operated behind the scenes. The country’s cyber‑defence units claim to thwart 99% of the hundreds of attacks it endures each day, a figure that reflects both the intensity of Russian aggression and the maturation of Polish capabilities after a high‑profile energy‑grid breach in late 2023. By framing cyber‑security as a core pillar of national security, Warsaw is aligning its defensive narrative with NATO’s broader emphasis on hybrid threats.

The policy response is anchored by the newly released Cybersecurity Strategy for 2026‑2029 and an amendment to the National Cybersecurity System. Together they broaden the list of protected entities from a few hundred critical‑infrastructure operators to more than 40,000 organisations spanning 19 sectors, effectively institutionalising resilience across the economy. This expansion dovetails with a push for digital sovereignty, urging the relocation of data centres, servers and cloud infrastructure under Polish jurisdiction to reduce reliance on foreign tech giants that could be compelled to serve hostile actors.

Beyond technical defenses, Gawkowski introduced “Sprawdzam To,” a state‑backed fact‑checking platform designed to expose Russian disinformation and counter the shortcomings of major platforms in moderating false narratives. The initiative reflects a growing recognition that information warfare is as decisive as network attacks in shaping public perception and policy. As Europe grapples with a surge in hybrid tactics, Poland’s integrated approach—combining robust cyber‑operations, regulatory expansion, and media integrity tools—offers a potential template for other nations seeking to safeguard both their digital infrastructure and democratic discourse.