Photo: Glavkom
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine warns: Russia has launched a large-scale information operation aimed at undermining Ukrainian statehood not on the battlefield, but in the minds of citizens – by discrediting the authorities, delegitimising democratic institutions and imposing a scenario of political surrender under the guise of a “peaceful settlement”.
This is stated in the FIS’s report published on 2 April.
The purpose of the operation is the controlled surrender of Ukraine
According to the Service, the Kremlin has moved its information campaign against Ukraine into an acute phase. Its strategic goal is to create the illusion that Ukraine cannot win, to question the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government and to promote the idea of “transitional political governance” under the auspices of third countries, including Russia.
The enemy is trying to present martial law and the impossibility of holding elections as a “democratic crisis”, allegedly demanding the creation of a “temporary administration” of the UN, the US or the EU – or even the Quartet with Russia. According to the Russian intelligence services, this should create a casus belli – a pretext for putting pressure on Ukraine from within and without.
Who is behind the information attack
Three main structures are responsible for coordinating the information operation: The FIS, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service and the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It is these bodies that supervise the activities of a number of formally “independent” or “neutral” media outlets in the EU that spread narratives favourable to the Kremlin.
Map of the Kremlin’s information attack in Europe:
– Hungary: Magyar Nemzet, Magyar Hirlap, and Pesti Srácok promote the idea that Ukraine is “incapable of self-governance”.
– Poland: Salon24.pl publishes “expert” materials about the alleged conflict between the political and military leadership of Ukraine.
– France: Réseau International spreads messages about “Ukraine’s inability to fight” and “a deep rift between the government and the General Staff”.
Social media as a weapon: fake news via TikTok, Telegram and YouTube
The FIS also notes that anonymous Telegram channels, TikTok videos and YouTube content are actively used in the operation. Narratives being promoted:
– “The West no longer supports Ukraine”;
– “We have been betrayed.”
– “We need changes in the government.”
– “It’s time to negotiate.”
– “Another government for peace”.
The point is to substitute concepts
“Under the guise of ‘peacekeeping’, they want to force Ukraine to surrender,” the FIS emphasises. According to the aggressor’s plan, the Ukrainian people should want to change their course themselves – under the influence of information pressure, the created atmosphere of “fatigue”, “betrayal” and “hopelessness”.
This is not just disinformation, but part of an enemy special operation to force defeat without a real fight. That is why critical thinking and information resilience remain the key weapons of Ukrainians in this war for consciousness.
