On Wednesday, the Committee on the survey of Russian and Belarusian Influences, headed by Brig-Gen Jarosław Sróżyk, Head of Military Counterintelligence Service, will present his first findings. However, already today, the Council of Ministers took note of the document. “You will be surprised,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the press conference.
Commission for the survey of Russian and Belarusian Influences was established in May, and its task was to measure whether and how abroad services could affect the situation in Poland over the last 20 years. On Tuesday, members of the Council of Ministers took note of its first findings during the secret part of the body's deliberations. “These are strong thesis and findings,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk. “You will be surprised,” he added.
The head of government reported that he would not uncover besides much details about the committee's findings, as it will be presented by its members tomorrow. However, asked by journalists if the study contains information on Antoni Macierewicz, erstwhile Minister of National Defence and president Smolensk subcommittee, the Prime Minister said that he peculiarly remembered the words: “Macierevic, the prosecution, betrayal”. “Tomorrow, these 3 words will be written in full sentences,” said Donald Tusk.
A small more information about the study was presented by journalists themselves. According to Polsat News, the committee's work was divided into 3 stages: 2004–2014, the period before the spread of social media, 2014–2022, i.e. from the start of the hybrid war in Ukraine to the full-scale invasion, and the time of the war itself, i.e. the years 2022–2024. During the 24 meetings held by the members of the committee, the focus was on 4 problems: reorganization of the institutions of the state liable for safety matters, omissions and delays in programs of modernization of the Polish Armed Forces, abroad service activities and misinformation.
The Prime Minister besides stated that although the members of the committee will inform about their findings tomorrow, this does not mean the end of their work. A detailed study on the influence of abroad services on the functioning of the State is to be presented in March. A study on disinformation will be prepared in advance.
The Commission for the survey of Russian and Belarusian Influences shall comprise 12 persons: Irena Lipowicz, prof. of Social Sciences, erstwhile Ambassador of Poland to Austria, erstwhile ombudsman; Dominika Kasprowicz, prof. at the Jagiellonian University, habilitated doctor at the Institute of Journalism, Media and Social Communication UJ; Katarzyna Bąkowicz, doctor of communication and media, assistant and lecturer at the University of Social Psychology, scientifically engaged in disinformation; Bartosz Machalica, historian and political scientist, doctor of social sciences, associate of the IPN College; Adam Leszczyński, doctor of habilitated social sciences, associate prof. of SWPS University, manager of the Institute of National thought Heritage; Grzegorz Motyka, doctor of habilitated social sciences, associate professor, presently manager of the Military Historical Office; Cezary Banasiński, doctor of habilitated legal sciences, prof. of the Warsaw University, erstwhile president of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection; Tomasz Chłoń, erstwhile ambassador to Estonia and Slovakia; Paweł Białek, erstwhile Deputy Head of the interior safety Agency; Agnieszka Demczuk, doctor of the habilitated UMCS in Lublin; and Paweł Ceranka, doctor of Social Sciences, deputy manager of the Office of Archives and Management of abroad Affairs. The committee is headed by Brig-Gen Jarosław Sróżyk, Head of Military Counterintelligence Service.
