In the shadow of tanks and missiles, another war rages—one fought with pixels and algorithms rather than bullets and bombs. This is the war of Russian disinformation, and its battleground is the minds of citizens worldwide. At the forefront of this conflict stands Russia, wielding a sophisticated arsenal of digital weapons -‘Russian disinformation’- that threaten not just Ukraine, but the very foundations of democracy across the globe.

The Evolving Threat

Russian disinformation is not a new phenomenon. Its roots trace back to Soviet-era propaganda, and indeed, I recall this being a repetitive theme in my grandfather’s tales told to me as a child. These were of Soviet-era Ukraine and his involvement in the fight against ‘Soviet propaganda and lies’, which he continued until he died in 1992.   However, the digital age has transformed it into a far more potent and pervasive threat. Today, social media algorithms amplify false narratives at an unprecedented scale and speed. And artificial intelligence and deepfake technology are enhancing these falsehoods with visual ‘authentication’ that is ever more convincing and harder to distinguish from the real thing.

Ukraine’s national security adviser, Oleksiy Danilov, warns that Russia has developed AI tools that allow for “exponentially greater” meddling in elections across Europe and beyond. This technological leap has enabled the creation of dedicated units for each country holding an election. It demonstrates the targeted and strategic nature of these campaigns.

The Scale of the Problem

The sheer volume of disinformation is staggering. Research organisation @TopLeadEU found that Russian propaganda accounts for approximately 166 million social media posts weekly. These posts aim to discredit officials, demoralise the public and armed forces, and sow discord among populations.

This flood of falsehoods isn’t confined to distant shores. In Australia, I have personally observed pro-Russian commentary in the comments sections of major newspapers like ‘The Australian’ since the beginning of the war. The profiles occasionally change names but maintain consistent messaging styles.

These observations align with findings from a study by Cardiff University’s Crime and Security Research Institute. They uncovered evidence of 32 prominent media outlets across 16 countries being targeted via their reader comments sections. This included major publications like The Daily Mail, Fox News, and Der Spiegel. The researchers identified 242 stories where provocative pro-Russian or anti-Western statements were posted, which were then used as the basis for stories in Russian-language media outlets.

Tactics and Targets

Russian disinformation campaigns employ a wide array of tactics:

1. Historical Revisionism: False narratives about Ukraine’s history and sovereignty are spread to undermine its legitimacy as a nation.
   Interestingly, my grandfather, a Ukrainian immigrant to Australia, wrote a manuscript based on eyewitness accounts from the period when Ukraine fought for independence from Russia in the early 20th century. This firsthand historical document, written before he passed away in 1992 and only recently rediscovered, provides additional evidence debunking Russian myths about Ukrainian history and its struggle for independence and freedom. The imminent publication of this book will contribute to the historical record and provide a personal connection to the events often misrepresented in Russian disinformation campaigns. Please sign up to our newsletter to be amongst the first to be notified of its publication.
2. Exploitation of Social Divisions: Campaigns target specific communities, particularly minority groups, to exacerbate existing tensions.
3. Undermining Trust in Institutions: Efforts to erode faith in mainstream media, democratic processes, and government officials are persistent.
4. Deepfake Technology: AI-generated videos of both foreign celebrities and domestic officials spread false messages, exploiting public trust in familiar faces.
5. Coordinated Bot Attacks: Social media users in Ukraine report being overwhelmed by waves of Russian bots, creating a hostile online environment for genuine discourse.

The impact of these tactics is profound. They can suppress voter turnout, polarise societies, and even incite real-world violence. In the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, they serve to weaken international resolve and support for the embattled nation.

For instance, in the lead-up to the 2016 U.S. election, the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a Russian troll farm, deployed voter suppression tactics targeting the Black community while simultaneously stoking fears of voter fraud among right-leaning audiences. On election day itself, IRA accounts engaged in harassment and fear-mongering, with one account sending “dozens of tweets harassing a variety of Jewish reporters and other (real) Twitter users with content about how Trump was ‘warming up an oven’ for them.” Whilst most Russian propaganda is pro-Trump, it also seeks to stir up division and hate on ‘all sides’. Current themes seem to be focused on making people think that there should be ‘civil war’ in Western democracies.

Ukraine: Ground Zero

While the threat is global, Ukraine stands at the epicentre. The country has been subjected to a relentless barrage of disinformation, from false claims of neo-Nazi infiltration in its government to fabricated atrocities. These lies serve not only to justify Russian aggression (including a routine policy of targeting areas designed to maximise civilian casualties) but also to undermine global support for Ukraine.

The human cost of this information war is all too real. As Ukrainians fight for their sovereignty on the ground, they must also battle a tide of falsehoods designed to break their spirit and isolate them from their allies. I cannot even imagine how soul-destroying this must be in addition to all they are enduring.

One particularly insidious tactic has been the creation of deepfake videos featuring Ukrainian officials. These fabricated videos depict Ukrainian leaders making false statements, including calls for Ukrainians to fight among themselves. Such tactics aim to create confusion, erode trust in leadership, and potentially incite civil unrest during a time when national unity is crucial.

A Threat to Global Democracy and Freedom

The implications of Russian disinformation extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders. By interfering in elections, sowing doubt in democratic institutions, and exacerbating social divisions, these campaigns pose an existential threat to democracies worldwide.

Microsoft’s research indicates that Russia-linked accounts are already disseminating divisive content aimed at U.S. audiences ahead of the 2024 election, criticising American support for Ukraine. This demonstrates how the conflict in Ukraine is being weaponised to influence political outcomes in other nations.

The tactics employed are diverse and evolving. For example, Russian operatives have created a global ad campaign using deepfake videos with fake quotes of U.S. celebrities calling for an end to Ukraine assistance. This exploitation of celebrity influence and advanced technology represents a new frontier in disinformation campaigns.

Moreover, the spread of these campaigns is not limited to the West. Russian-backed media has also targeted the Middle East and Africa. Shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the post frequency of RT  (Russia Today) Arabic and Sputnik Arabic on Twitter increased by 35% and 80% respectively. Some of RT Arabic’s most popular tweets amplified false narratives about secret biological weapons laboratories in Ukraine.

The Road Ahead

Combating this threat requires a multifaceted approach:

1. Technological Solutions: Developing AI-powered tools to detect and counter disinformation, particularly deepfakes.

2. Media Literacy: Educating the public on identifying false information and understanding the tactics used to spread it.

3. International Cooperation: Sharing intelligence and best practices among democracies to create a united front against disinformation.

4. Support for Independent Journalism: Strengthening fact-based reporting to counter the flood of false narratives. Encouraged by historian Timothy Snyder’s comments on this and its importance in the fight against tyranny, I have subscribed to independent news outlets in Ukraine.

5. Platform Responsibility: Holding social media companies accountable for the spread of disinformation on their platforms.

What You Can Do

As individuals, we are not powerless in this fight:

Be Sceptical: Question sensational claims, especially those that provoke strong emotional responses. For instance, be wary of extreme accusations against political figures, such as claims about vast child trafficking networks or sudden extravagant purchases of mansions and yachts.

Verify Sources: Seek out reputable, diverse news sources and fact-checking organisations. Be particularly cautious about content from unfamiliar news sites, as Russian actors have been known to create fake websites mimicking legitimate news outlets.

Think Before Sharing: Consider the impact of spreading unverified information. It’s too quick and easy to click ‘share’ on social media without thinking.

Support Ukraine: Understand that standing with Ukraine means resisting the false narratives that undermine its struggle for sovereignty. This includes being aware of historical revisionism that attempts to delegitimize Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.

Engage in Respectful Dialogue: Bridge divides by engaging in open, fact-based discussions with those who may have different views. Remember that some of the most divisive content you encounter online may be part of a deliberate campaign to sow discord.

Conclusion

The war against Russian disinformation is not just Ukraine’s fight—it’s a battle for the integrity of democratic and freedom-loving societies worldwide. By understanding the threat, supporting those on the front lines, and remaining vigilant in our consumption and sharing of information, we can all play a part in defending truth and preserving liberty and democracy. People everywhere should be able to choose those who govern them, not have rule forced on them by artillery, missiles, money and deception.

As we face this invisible enemy, let us remember that the pen—or in this case, the keyboard—truly is mightier than the sword. In the digital age, an informed, alert and critical-thinking citizenry is our strongest defence against those who would manipulate us through lies and deceit.

The stakes could not be higher. Our support for the people of Ukraine and our resistance to disinformation are not separate causes—they are two fronts in the same war. A war for truth, for democracy and liberty, and for the right of all people to determine their own futures free from foreign interference and control. Many of us have ancestors who fought to defend our freedom from tyranny. Who gave their lives to prevent a world controlled by autocrats and evil dictators like Hitler and Mussolini. Do we want a world controlled by nations like Russia, North Korea and Iran – where every aspect of our lives is dictated by ruthless autocrats, where people are tortured and imprisoned for their beliefs or for speaking the truth? Do we want to squander the freedoms, liberty and peace that our ancestors bought with their blood? I know the Ukrainians don’t. Right now, Ukrainians stand as the bulwark between tyranny and the free world, battling not just with artillery shells and missiles, but also in a digital war more insidious than the physical destruction of their cities.

In the words often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” In the face of Russian disinformation, this vigilance must extend to every post we read, every video we watch, and every piece of information we encounter.  We must stand up for truth. Much of what we hold dear depends on it…