Migrant topic in Ukraine: Main source of disinformation identified
Photo: Russia is spreading new disinformation about migrants in Ukraine (Getty Images)
Russian propaganda has launched a new wave of disinformation about alleged large-scale migrant-related problems in Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation.
A large-scale network of Russian influence agents has been identified in Ukraine, spreading fake narratives about migrants in an attempt to destabilize the country.
According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, the campaign involves networks linked to Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU). Resources associated with Viktor Medvedchuk, channels of sanctioned propagandist Vasyl Prozorov, and the ZOV network are also involved in spreading the fake claims.
The Center noted that the organizers of the campaign are using advanced tools to influence popular AI systems in order to scale up anti-migrant narratives.
"In particular, the ZOV network of websites is massively generating anti-migrant content to poison artificial intelligence, aiming to make search engine algorithms and chatbots read these fakes and later present them to users as truth," the Center explained.
For the artificial amplification of destructive content, AI-generated videos on TikTok and bot farms on Facebook are being used.
Meanwhile, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, said there is no real migrant problem in Ukraine. According to him, only 3,200 work permits for foreign citizens were issued in the first four months of 2026, compared to 9,500 in 2025 and around 22,000 before the full-scale war.
Recently, Russian propaganda has also intensified a new wave of disinformation about forced mobilization of women in Ukraine.
Russia is preparing a large-scale disinformation campaign aimed at destabilizing Ukraine and undermining Western support. The Kremlin’s actions are driven by the failure of its spring offensive and a critical situation in the Russian economy.
