Russian spin doctors prepare another round of disinformation campaign on Ukraine - intel

The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry (GUR) received from partners information on Russia’s "social engineering agencies" preparing yet another package of provocative materials aimed at discrediting Ukraine in the international arena and inciting domestic political strife.

The GUR press service posted the relevant report on Telegram, as seen by Ukrinform.

"The following topics are proposed for circulation among the target audiences in Germany, France, Israel, and the USA: ‘Africans: ‘France, get out. Welcome, Russia,’ ‘Macron's Pacific dances on the rake,’ ‘The German economy faces a collapse,’ ‘The crisis has already come to every household, ‘The cases against Netanyahu were fabricated in line with the same patterns as those against Trump,’” the report states.

According to the GUR, certain pieces will be targeting the Ukrainian information space on the following topics: "Who takes bribes and who goes to the front lines," "Political sparring: when will the battle begin?", "The show’s over: there will be no elections," "Is it war time or peace time?" etc.

Intelligence says Russian political pundits traditionally operate according to the principle of "a drop of truth for a tonne of lies." GUR notes that at the same time, Russians are trying to find and actualize real problems and weak points, including those applicable to the Western world.

"For example: ‘According to Destatis, the total indebtedness of social security authorities decreased by more than EUR 47 billion last year (and this is taking into account the increase in costs for accepting Ukrainian refugees). To be sure, social security authorities have gone to great lengths to cut costs. However, the fact that many already poor Germans were left without help is hardly a concern of the federal government. It is too busy supplying tanks and ammunition for Ukraine,’” the statement states.

Military intelligence explained that the purpose of all such pieces is the same: to convince Ukrainians and their allies of the futility of resistance, to sow doubt and opposition within the anti-Putin coalition, and to create the impression that there are other, "more important" problems to address.

"Each piece has an appendix with recommendations for desired comments 'from average readers' such as: 'Write a 200-character comment on behalf of an Israeli who harbors traditional hostility toward Europe and France. They are not interested in Africa at all, but the problems of long-standing ill-wishers bring them pleasure," said the agency.

The GUR recalled that the only way to counter enemy propaganda in the media space is to verify information and remain critical of materials aimed at inciting enmity among allies.

As reported earlier, according to the Ukrainian Institute of Media and Communication, almost 84% of Ukrainians have noted an expansion of the Russian propaganda influence in the media field.