The GRU controls Russia’s military intelligence service and maintains its own special forces units.

Krzysztof Gawkowski said that the first group aims to spread disinformation in Poland, with the second one trying to paralyze critical infrastructure.

“They are working in a coordinated manner. On the one hand, there are attacks on critical infrastructure, and on the other, the spreading of disinformation to spread panic, to show that the state is not coping,” Gawkowski told private broadcaster TVN24 on Tuesday morning. “This is a real threat.”

“Our services have already discovered this. The cybersecurity operations center has taken action in this regard.”

Gawkowski added that the main targets are water, sewage and energy infrastructure, and government and local authorities.

💬Od kilku dni wiemy, że delegowane są dwie grupy, które stworzyła rosyjska GRU, aby przeprowadzać cyberataki na Polskę. Infrastruktura wodno-kanalizacyjna, energetyka, administracja rządowa i samorządowa to główne kierunki cyberataków – powiedział wicepremier i minister… pic.twitter.com/IJb87rOIol

— Ministerstwo Cyfryzacji (@CYFRA_GOV_PL) June 25, 2024

When asked about a potential worst-case scenario, Gawkowski said this would involve an attack on critical infrastructure, as a result of which “water, electricity, and sewage systems would stop working.” He added that the Russians “have attempted this type of attack in the last six months.”

“We are prepared for any incident,” Gawkowski said.