Russia seeks to spark new Maidan: Ukraine exposes Kremlin campaign
Photo: Independence Square in Kyiv during the Revolution of Dignity, December 8, 2013 (Getty Images)
Calls to take to the Maidan and demand changes from the authorities are once again spreading across Ukraine's information space. The Kremlin is behind this campaign, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation.
The CPD reported that it had detected a large-scale information campaign on social media that, according to the Center, is being orchestrated by Russia. Its authors are attempting to spread calls for protests and to destabilize the situation in Ukraine.
In particular, calls to take to the Maidan and demand that the authorities "immediately make peace," "cancel mobilization," "hold immediate elections" and take other measures are being actively circulated in Ukraine's information space.
In such posts, alleged Ukrainian servicemen are presented as the "leaders of the protests."
Why Russia is doing this
According to intelligence data received by the Center, Russia is attempting in this way to draw Ukrainian military personnel into protest actions.
The CPD said the campaign is aimed at destabilizing Ukraine internally and undermining its defense capabilities. To this end, social media posts are being circulated that may create the impression of supposedly broad support for the protests among Ukrainians and military personnel.
The Center urged people not to fall for such manipulations and to verify information before trusting or sharing it.
"Do not fall for hostile manipulation and trust only verified sources of information," the CPD stressed.
In addition, Russian information resources have repeatedly spread fake claims about the alleged forced mobilization of women in Ukraine. The CPD stresses that such claims are part of a systematic campaign aimed at spreading panic and destabilizing Ukrainian society.
Also, at the beginning of September, Russian propaganda intensified a campaign to spread unverified stories about alleged "atrocities by the Ukrainian Armed Forces" against civilians in Donbas.
