As part of the fresh exchange of prisoners between Russia and the West, Poland decided to release Paweł Rubcov, besides known as Pablo Gonzalez. Rubcow, an undercover Spanish journalist, was active in Polish social media, and his narratives were frequently captured by left-wing media. His release sparked controversy and questions about media reactions and politicians.
Rubcow as a GRU agent
Paweł Rubcow, a GRU military intelligence agent, was detained by Polish services on 27 February 2022 on the Polish-Ukrainian border. He utilized the false name Pablo Gonzalez and pretended to be a Spanish journalist, allowing him to gather information in Ukraine and gain the trust of Russian opponents. Rubcow was accused of utilizing his position as a writer for the Russian peculiar Services.
Social media activities
Rubcow (Gonzalez) was active in social media, where he promoted narratives conducive to Russia. He published posts concerning, among others, the Polish-Belarusian border and the treatment of illegal immigrants, and supported the alleged Women's Strike. Interviews were given to him by well-known characters associated with left-wing ru and specified as LGBT activist Bart Staszewski and the leader of the abortion movement Klementyna Suchanov.
Controversy around Stopping
After the detention of Rubcov many commentators and journalists did not believe in his association with Russian intelligence. In Rubcov's defense, the editor Anna Mierzyńska, considered to be an expert on disinformation, stood. Mierzyńska frequently suggests that people with different views act in favour of Russia, but in the case of Rubcov she did not detect Russian communicative in her camp.
Policy and media responses
The situation was commented by Confederate associate Konrad Berkowicz, who accused left-wing media of hypocrisy and deficiency of consequence to Rubcov's case. "A very left-wing activist turned out to be a Russian agent. The stupid left in Poland let him service in his anti-Polish propaganda. Now in awe everyone deletes the entries in which they erstwhile defended him" – wrote Berkowicz.
Berkowicz besides asked about the deficiency of media consequence specified as “Gazeta Wyborcza” and OKO.press: “By its way, I wonder where did the quiquek of Wyborcza, OKO-press and the full smiling coalition of Russian agents in Spain split? Is it quiet due to the fact that it's not the right? due to the fact that if it were an agent in the right-wing party, there'd be no end to screaming. He is in left, so there is no subject," he commented.
Summary
The release of Paweł Rubcov as part of the exchange of prisoners between Russia and the West has sparked much controversy and questions about media reactions and politicians. Rubcow, an undercover Spanish journalist, actively promoted narratives favoring Russia, which was unnoticed by many commentators and journalists. Reactions to his detention and release item differences in approach to the Russian agentry problem depending on political sympathy.
Daniel Głogowski
Expert in his field – Publicist, author and social activist. The first articles were published in 1999 for global publishers. For more than 30 years, he has gained his experience through cooperation with the largest editorial offices. In his articles, he seeks to address controversial topics and present first viewpoints that allowed for a deeper knowing of the issues discussed.
More here:
A household like Wyborcza, OKO-press and a smiling coalition are silent on Rubcov
