Hybrid warfare is a significant element of the Russian war, and since Russian troops cannot gain any advantage on the battlefield, the Kremlin tries to strike on the information front. Russian disinformation network targeting Ukraine’s Western partner states still runs smoothly and spreads narratives to undermine these countries’ support for Ukraine.
In general, the disinformation Russia has targeted the West with has not changed much since before the full-scale invasion: Kremlin propaganda keeps disseminating the “failed state” narrative, messages attempting to discredit the Ukrainian Armed Forces, central and local authorities, nonsense about “Nazies” in Ukraine, etc. However, there were also some adjustments, such as false narratives about Ukrainian refugees to incite hatred against them among the hosting communities.
Western societies should therefore strive to develop resilience against Russian propaganda. Media literacy and critical thinking are the core areas they need to build up to resist the influence operations Russia has been trying and will surely continue to conduct. Ukrainian fact-checkers recommend that the Western media avoid citing Russian sources in their materials and ban Kremlin mouthpieces altogether to prevent enemy propaganda from reaching audiences in the West.
Learn how else citizens of Western countries can resist Russian propaganda in Ukraine In Flames #291.
UKRAINE IN FLAMES project is created by Ukraine Crisis Media Center and NGO “Euroatlantic Course”. We are aiming at searching a loud support for Ukraine in the war started by Russia on the 24th of February 2022.
If you want to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, check the link with recommendations by Ukraine Crisis Media Center – https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine.
NGO Euroatlantic Course collects donations to support Ukrainian Army and civilians – https://eac.org.ua/en/main-page/.
How you can help Ukraine against Russian aggression:
👉🏻 Come back alive – https://bit.ly/3Ct6O2L (works directly with the command and personnel of military units, purchasing infrared thermal imaging cameras, night vision goggles, hemostatics etc);
👉🏻 CO Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation – https://bit.ly/3Svas1G (purchases supplies for Ukrainian army, such as armor, ammunition, first-aid kits, cars and ATV, humanitarian aid for civilians, and food for animals);
👉🏻 UNITED 24 – https://bit.ly/3M2mXiT (was launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Funds will be transferred to the official accounts of the National Bank of Ukraine and allocated by assigned ministries to cover the most pressing needs)
👉🏻 Army SOS – https://bit.ly/3UYK168 (manages purchases of necessary ammunition, shields, intercommunication and reconnaissance facilities, etc. and delivers all goods directly);
👉🏻 Vostok SOS – https://bit.ly/3Ruut75 (raising funds for various needs of the army);
👉🏻 Phoenix Wings – https://bit.ly/3RvWSd0 (the appropriate equipment & uniform, personal non-lethal protection (vests, helmets), required treatment of the wounded soldiers, and repair of the buildings used by the army).