Barlinek about the attack on the factory in Ukraine: it is also an element of the information war

After an air attack on the Barlinek factory in Ukraine, comments appeared in social media spreading false information that undermines the credibility of the Polish company – the company's management board said in the Thursday communication. In his opinion, this is an element of the information war.

“After a drone attack on the Polish Barlinek factory in Ukraine, a wave of comments spreading disinformation about the nature of the attack and activity of the company has started in social media. In our opinion, this is an element of the information war, which aims to distract social attention from the fact of destroying another Polish factory during this war” – emphasized in the board.

The Management Board pointed out that some users “inadvertently or intentionally” repeat false or manipulated information that justify the destruction of a civil building and undermine the credibility of the Polish company and “a brand existing for several decades”.

The announcement cited entries posted on Polish and Russian -speaking profiles falsely suggesting – as the management noted – that the Barlinek factory attacked by Russian missiles was not a civil object because it dealt with military production. Some of them claimed that the attack was a Ukrainian provocation aimed at drawing Poland into the war. The authors of some of the comments cited in the announcement also indicated that Barlinek is not a Polish company.

Barlinek is a Polish company, the world's largest manufacturer of wooden three -layer floors. He never conducted and does not conduct any activities related to the defense industry. Barlinek SA is the owner of a capital group, which includes production companies in Poland, Ukraine, Romania and Croatia and commercial companies, among others, in Germany and the USA. In Poland alone, the company employs over 2,200 employees, and its headquarters is located in Kielce – said the management of Barlinek.

As noted in the communiqué, Barlinek as a Polish tax resident settles all taxes due in Poland, including those from profits from international activities carried out by subsidiaries – including in Ukraine.

“Contrary to information appearing in public space, Barlinek SA does not transfer or transfer any funds to Luxembourg to reduce taxes. The owner of Barlinek since 1999 is a Pole Michał Sołowow, which is also a citizen of Austria, through his Austrian company,” – said in a message.

According to the information provided by the management of Barlinek, the company pays about PLN 120 million in public taxes and tributes annually in Poland. Over the past 5 years, the company has invested over PLN 1 billion in the country.

On July 16, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski announced that Russian drones hit the Barlinek Group factory in Winnica. On the same day, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the representative of the Russian embassy that the attack on the Barlinek factory in Winnica, which was Polish owned, and dealing only with civil production, is a violation of international law. The company itself said that due to large losses it does not provide for resumption of production earlier than in six months.

Barlinek is one of the largest companies producing wooden floors in Europe. The plant in Winnica is one of the three group production plants. The company owner is businessman Michał Sołowow. (PAP)

GKC/ MALK/