Russia is running disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting the Ukrainian authorities, manipulating the topic of peace and justifying strikes on Ukrainian cities.
This was reported by Anait Hoperia, acting head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation, speaking on the national telethon.
According to Hoperia, one strand of Russian propaganda is pushing the narrative that the Ukrainian authorities and Western partners are supposedly interested in prolonging the war for profit. Such claims are intended to shift responsibility for the fighting away from Russia as the aggressor state.
Russia is also spreading statements about the alleged “illegitimacy” of the Ukrainian authorities and conspiracy claims on ethnic and religious grounds. The CCD assesses that these narratives are aimed at splitting Ukrainian society.
Separately, Russian propaganda is manipulating the topics of energy and air defence. In particular, power cuts are explained as supposedly being caused by electricity being sold abroad, while the consequences of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure are glossed over.
In addition, baseless accusations are being circulated that Ukraine’s air defence is supposedly shooting down aerial targets over residential neighbourhoods.
Another line is the justification of Russian shelling. Hostile media try to present each new strike on Ukrainian cities as a “forced response” to Ukraine’s actions.
The CCD notes that the aim of such information operations is to undermine trust in Ukrainian state institutions, distort perceptions of events and reduce international support for Ukraine. To counter disinformation, the centre works domestically and cooperates with European partners.