The article analyses Russian false claims regarding biological weapons use by Ukraine or the USA during the latest round of the Russian invasion. The authors concentrate on the specifications of the narrative, chronology of the claims’ development, and the main actors involved, as well as the logic behind the use of this particular narrative in…
Prior to the escalated invasion of Ukraine, the political and military leadership of the Russian Federation alleged that Ukraine was planning to regain its nuclear status, and that it would be receiving the help of Western countries. This claim was repeated on May 9, 2022, almost three months following the 24 February incursion, during the…
Because of the changes in the security landscape, proactive communication with members is more critical than ever before for organisations like NATO. Russia’s systematic use of deception, propaganda and false news is a significant component of the hybrid warfare it has waged against its neighbours, including Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and the three NATO allies in…
Information manipulation campaigns have long been a part of Russia’s war machine toolkit, preparing public opinion and laying the ground for military operations. The EU has taken some action to prevent the Kremlin’s malign influence on its information space, the European Parliament also being a part of that effort. But as a year of full-scale…
Russia’s interaction with NATO includes concerns that its expansion is a security threat. Despite its opposition, Russia has accepted NATO enlargement for political and financial gain. This paper examines Kremlin disinformation concerning two of the alleged leading causes of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014: NATO encirclement and the US “overthrow” of Ukraine’s president. It…
This article examines the key Russian strategic and tactical narratives on nuclear security during Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine. Particular attention will be given to Russian claims that Ukraine is developing a “dirty bomb,” that Ukraine is shelling the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and that the Ukrainian nuclear industry is decaying. The Russian disinformation campaign…
At the first stage of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine’s nuclear energy facilities were among the main targets of the Kremlin. The Russians managed to seize Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP). After a series of military defeats, Russia has been trying to “sell” their control over the…
While the use of disinformation as a weapon has always existed, the development of information and communication technologies has greatly simplified it in modern armed conflicts. The topic of NATO enlargement has been significantly overblown with false reports, although it has had its dossier of false information refutation. It is widely perceived as an irritant…
During 2011-2021, Ukraine developed comprehensive legislation on access to official information, and implemented it according to the best international democratic standards. However, during the war, access to official information has been partly limited due to reasons of national security, despite the fact that this democratic instrument is an effective tool to counteract disinformation. It is…
