Russia pushes protest hoax in Ukraine, experts warn of info attacks
Photo: Russia intensifies disinformation about rallies in Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation has released a prognosis of key topics for disinformation campaigns that Russia could use against Ukraine during the first half of August.
Among the main risks are the massive use of the topic of protests in Ukraine, manipulations around the situation at the front, the course of negotiations in Istanbul, the effectiveness of air defense, and problems in the temporarily occupied territories.
Demonstrations as a tool of a disinformation campaign
The center expects that Russian propagandists will more actively use the topic of peaceful rallies in Ukraine, in particular, presenting them as "calls for surrender" or "overthrow of the government."
The main goal is to create a false impression of a social split and influence Western audiences.
Disinformation about the situation at the front
Russia is likely to continue spreading exaggerated or fake reports about the rapid advance of its troops towards Dnipro and other cities.
Fake leaks allegedly from representatives of the Armed Forces or local authorities are expected to be spread.
Manipulations amid Istanbul talks
The Kremlin will try to discredit the Ukrainian delegation by accusing it of delaying the process.
Special attention will be paid to narratives about the initiative of the meeting of the leaders of the states, presenting it as a formality without meaning.
Against the backdrop of Ukraine's Air Force Day on August 3, Russia may try to sow doubts about the effectiveness of Ukraine's air defense.
A large-scale information campaign is also expected to mark the anniversary of the fighting in the Kursk region, as Russia will try to heroize its troops and present Ukraine as an aggressor.
Other threats
- Prisoner exchange: Russian propaganda will prepare fakes about the alleged persecution of the released soldiers.
- Mobilization: fakes about harsh methods and calls for resistance are expected to be spread.
- Agricultural sector: manipulations about a catastrophic harvest and locusts may be spread.
- Water crisis in TOT: Russia will try to shift the responsibility to Ukraine.
- Relations with neighbors: attempts to provoke ethnic hatred are predicted.
- Activity on the part of Belarus: anti-Ukrainian rhetoric and demonstration of military exercises are expected on the anniversary of the protests.
The center warns that the goal of most of these campaigns is to demoralize Ukrainian society, undermine trust in state institutions, and reduce support for Ukraine abroad.
The head of the center, Andriy Kovalenko, warned Ukrainians about new Russian information attacks. He noted that the Russians would continue to terrorize Ukraine with swarms of drones and would simultaneously promote two information campaigns.
One of them will be aimed at the international audience, the other at the domestic Ukrainian audience.
