As stated by the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), Andriy Kovalenko, Russian special services in Europe are currently focused on supporting so-called Euroskeptics—politicians who will challenge the current structure of the EU, work to destabilize Europe to stop supporting Ukraine, and change the EU’s current course. Russia is betting on Euroskepticism as a foundation for undermining unity in Europe, creating conditions for the absorption and future annexation of the Baltic states, as well as lifting sanctions on Russia.
In Ukraine, according to the CCD head, Russia will focus on creating divisions in society along the "civilian-military" line and will also encourage protests, trying to form this narrative.
Currently, active operations are being carried out by the FSB, GRU, and SVR of Russia. The coordinator of these operations is Sergey Kiriyenko, the first deputy head of the Russian dictator’s administration.
The FSB in Russia is responsible for monitoring and cleansing the internal information space, creating "fake opposition," including in Europe, and recruiting operatives for sabotage in Ukraine.
The GRU of Russia are the executors of information-psychological operations against Ukraine and the West. They support proxy groups in Europe, have infrastructure on Telegram, X, YouTube, and TikTok, as well as websites for conducting disinformation campaigns, and they use bloggers. The GRU is also involved in recruiting operatives for sabotage activities in Ukraine.
The SVR of Russia, led by Sergey Naryshkin, is responsible for diplomatic propaganda and works through foreign media and analytical centers to create "alternative" narratives. They recruit individual politicians, spread lies about "terrorist attacks, Ukrainian terrorists, and the division of Ukraine."
"Throughout February, spring, and summer 2025, there will be an active information war. Well, keep a cool head," summed up the head of the CCD.
