Russia is expanding its networks in the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) of Ukraine to spread its propaganda. So far, it has deployed and installed more than 2,000 mobile network towers in the TOT, Vadym Skibitskyy, deputy chief of the Defence Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate, said at the third annual Kyiv Stratcom Forum 2024.
"Let's take Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions. First, they fully control this information space using repeaters and so on. This is entrusted to Rostech: they have all the software, full control of all information flows that are there," Skibitskyy said.
He noted that in addition to networks, the occupiers work with residents of the occupied territories through the cultural environment to spread propaganda. The emphasis is on young people.
"Over this period of time, they have improved, modernised and restored 2,300 cultural facilities: theatres, cinemas, various studios to impose narratives of the Russian Federation, to deprive us of our historical past. This includes special work with young people - textbooks, books, Russian education programmes, and so on," Skibitskyy stressed.