Poland’s FM warns Russia may stage false flag attack to justify invasion of Europe
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski warned that Russia could stage a fake attack on itself to justify aggression against European states, recalling the 1939 Nazi Gleiwitz hoax. The warning came after Putin threatened to strike European countries over drone launches.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has issued a stark warning that Russia might orchestrate a false flag attack on its own territory to create a pretext for broader military action against European countries. The tactic mirrors the 1939 Gleiwitz incident, when Nazi Germany staged a raid on its own radio station to justify the invasion of Poland, triggering World War II in Europe.
Sikorski’s warning follows threats by Russian President Vladimir Putin to strike European states, citing drone launches from their territory. While Putin did not specify which countries, his rhetoric has heightened tensions between Russia and the European Union.
Analysts note that false-flag operations are a staple of Russian hybrid warfare, previously employed in Ukraine and elsewhere. The Gleiwitz parallel is particularly resonant given Russia’s history of using propaganda and disinformation to justify military actions. Polish officials call on the international community to remain vigilant and prevent history’s most tragic mistakes from repeating.
