Warshaw; October 2026: Poland’s Special Services minister Tomasz Siemoniak has said that police, intelligence agencies and the state research institute NASK were examining all possible leads about deepfake warnings, and false threats linked to a wave of school violence, with officials warning that Russia may be exploiting the incidents to spread panic.
His remarks followed warnings on Friday from Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who said Polish military cyber defense forces had reported a major disinformation campaign intended to spread panic after the attacks. The minister although did not establish a direct Russian involvement in the attacks themselves but said exploiting crises was a longstanding feature of Moscow’s strategy. “They see a crisis situation and immediately exploit it”, he said, citing Russian disinformation during devastating floods in southwestern Poland in September 2024.
He cautioned that evidence would be needed before attributing responsibility, but suggested Moscow was firmly in the crosshairs of their investigation. “It is certainly the case in all events, that shock Polish public opinion, that Russia and its internet capabilities are adding fuel to the fire”, Siemoniak said. “They always try to portray Poland as an unstable country, as a country whose government is weak, whose military and services are weak. So, we can assume that there may have been some foul play here”, he added.
The remarks come amid a spate of violent incidents at schools in northeastern Poland, including two, separate school stabbings that left one person dead and several injured. Police have also detained two teenagers over apparent threats, including an AI-generated video threatening a “Bloody Friday massacre”.
The widespread debate arising out of fear psychosis stemmed when a 15 years old student had killed a cleaner on Thursday (08th October) at a school near Wyszków, injuring two other people. The suspect was detained by police and was found wearing a helmet camera that investigators believe may have been intended to livestream the violence.
It was on the previous day (Wednesday – 07th October 2026) – a 19 years old went on a machete rampage at a school in Ostrołęka, about 120 kilometers northeast of Warsaw, injuring nine people as well as himself. The attacker was also found in possession of an improvised explosive device.
Police had also foiled a suspected attack in the town of Sierpc on the same day (Wednesday, 07th October) detaining a teenager who had reportedly said he planned to attack his school. All three incidents took place in the Mazowsze province surrounding Warsaw.
Officials have stressed that the decision to close schools was unrelated to an online threat dubbed “Bloody Friday” after detaining a 17-year-old believed to be behind an AI-generated video promising a “Bloody Friday massacre”. The video threatening widespread knife attacks has sparked panic among parents and students.
Police have said on Friday (09th October) morning that they have since made 10 related arrests across the country. The statement posted on X said: "Over 10,000 inspected facilities and 10 people detained nationwide. Police officers across the country have been taking action aimed at verifying all reports of threats, announcements of violence, and incidents that could endanger students and staff at educational institutions. Every signal, even the smallest one, is being thoroughly checked". The statement added that officers from the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime "are monitoring the internet around the clock".
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has also called for police to visit every school in Poland at least once a day as part of routine patrols, warning of the risk of copycat attacks and what he described as a “cult of violence” among some young people.
Team Maverick.
