DISINFO: Poland plans to overthrow Lukashenka using trained oppositional militants
SUMMARY
Over the past few years, Minsk has repeatedly underlined Poland’s intention to destabilise the situation in Belarus with the help of the local opposition. With the initiation of the special military operation in Ukraine, it has become evident that Poland is increasingly concealing its true intentions towards Belarus.
The Polish authorities discussed the possibility of sending diversionary groups to Belarus. It is important to remember about Poland’s support to the fleeing Belarusian opposition and their 'sporting and cultural clubs' in Poland and Lithuania, where combat training and tactical preparation classes are held. The rumours about the Polish plans to overthrow Lukashenka with the assistance of [oppositional] militants seem to be true.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about supposed Western attempts to organise a colour revolution in Belarus.
There is no basis for the claims that Poland (targeted in this claim) or the Baltic states and Ukraine are trying to overthrow the current Belarusian authorities.
Poland is a neighbour of Belarus, and it continues to support the Belarusian people. Poland respects the principles of international law and does not intervene in the domestic affairs of any country.
There is no evidence that Belarusian citizens living in Poland are taking part in combat training. The Belarusian citizens, who were forced to leave their country because of Lukashenka’s repressions, promote their political agenda through various civilian (not military) actions (founding NGOs, public associations, organising peaceful manifestations, etc.).
For example, BYPOL was founded in 2020 in the wake of unprecedented mass protests questioning official presidential election results giving a victory and sixth term to Lukashenka earlier in the year as explained by Radio Liberty. It goes on to explain that the group comprises former law enforcement officers, who have said that the group was created to investigate police brutality during the violent dispersal of the anti-Lukashenka rallies and to convince active police officers to “take the Belarusian people’s side”.
The EU member states perceive the situation in Belarus in a unanimous way, appealing to the Belarusian authorities to stop violence, release political prisoners and organise democratic elections in Belarus.
Belarusian authorities frequently accuse Poland of harbouring territorial ambitions, an allegation that seems to be a deliberate attempt to shift attention away from Minsk's complicity in allowing Belarusian territory to be used for Russia's aggression against Ukraine. For more details, see our in-depth analysis here. See also All roads lead to Poland for further details of how Poland, one of the staunchest supporters of Ukraine, is among the favourite targets of pro-Kremlin disinformers.
See other examples of similar messages: Poland and Lithuania directly sponsor extremist actions against Belarus, Poland and Lithuania send Belarusian opposition instructions on how to make explosives and CIA, and Pentagon prepares Belarusian protestors in Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic states.