The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine warns: Russian forces have launched a large-scale information operation against Ukraine using the factor of “anti-corruption protests in Ukraine.” According to Foreign Intelligence Service information, in addition to federal resources, the Kremlin is actively involving a pool of controlled media, bloggers, and influencers in Western countries in this operation.
All Russian intelligence agencies’ overseas capabilities have already been engaged in this information influence. Russian propaganda platforms present changes in anti-corruption legislation as an “anti-American coup” and an attempt to “minimize Western influence within Ukraine’s political system.” This is accompanied by amplifying the narrative of a deep crisis in Ukrainian society.
To lend authority to such theses, especially in the European information space, Russian propaganda selectively takes comments from Western diplomats, politicians, and journalists out of context and interprets them in a way that serves their goals. This is presented as evidence of the West’s disappointment with Ukrainian reforms, threats of possible sanctions, and the loss of visa-free travel for Ukraine. To enhance the effect, video content from protests is manipulatively distorted.
According to Foreign Intelligence Service Head Oleh Ivashchenko: “Today we must be more united than ever because the level of threats is only increasing. We must remember that the main source of danger is Russian forces, which, having failed to conquer our state, seeks to sow discord and undermine Ukraine from within. The aggressor has used and will use the slightest pretext to destroy our unity and discredit Ukraine, especially on the international stage. I communicate almost daily with heads of partner intelligence services regarding joint counteraction to Russian aggression. Colleagues emphasize the importance of maintaining the phenomenal level of consolidation of Ukrainian society that we have shown during these years of war.”
European intelligence services also note the activation of manipulative and disinformation Kremlin resources in the information space of Western countries.
