Ukraine's Battle in the Information Wars

Ukraine's Battle in the Information Wars

Ukraine's Strategic Communication Shines in the Information War

Ukraine has been making waves in the world of strategic communication, adopting a unique approach that emphasises transparency, evidence-based messaging, and collaboration with open-source intelligence (OSINT) groups. This strategy, which has been instrumental in enhancing Ukraine's credibility and influencing both domestic and international audiences, was particularly evident during Operation Spiderweb in 2025.

During this operation, Ukraine publicly released verified drone attack footage against Russian military targets, collaborating with groups like Bellingcat to confirm the damage without revealing sensitive capabilities. This transparency not only boosted Ukrainian morale but also weakened Russian adversary morale and strengthened Ukraine’s diplomatic position by fostering trust and countering disinformation.

In contrast, Russia's communication strategy often employs ambiguity, disinformation, and opaque narratives to confuse opponents and mask setbacks. This approach, as noted by the confusion and distrust following false claims such as the jet-downing story during Operation Spiderweb, can erode Russia's credibility. Russia leverages state-controlled media to disseminate propaganda and manipulate internal and external perceptions, differing markedly from Ukraine's transparent, evidence-backed strategy.

Israel, on the other hand, balances operational security with showcasing its technological superiority and intelligence capabilities. Israel's strategic communication often focuses on rapid, precise messaging that integrates military achievements with diplomatic narratives to maintain international support and manage security perceptions.

Ukraine's practice stands out in the information environment by leveraging verified open-source information to build international credibility and psychological impact. This model offers a strategic asset in hybrid conflicts where information integrity and real-time verification shape operational and diplomatic outcomes.

Ukraine's strategic communication evolution is not solely a home-grown development. External influences have played a role in shaping Ukraine's strategies for operating in the information environment, with clear parallels drawn between Ukraine and Israel. Initial failures in the information environment led to enhanced interagency cooperation and the involvement of tech-savvy personnel who understand the dynamics of the online world.

Ukraine's military-scientific establishment studied the Russian approach and developed strategies to counter it, leading to a series of measures to improve the resilience of Ukraine in the information environment. Social media publication policies in Ukraine are guided from Kyiv, ensuring that messages revolve around key themes like bravery, resilience, and defiance.

Ukraine has also made significant investments in strategic communications. In August 2023, a crowdfunding effort was undertaken by several Ukrainian entities to procure ten thousand first-person-view drones and ammunition for Ukrainian forces. Within five days, the crowdfunding organization collected 235 million Ukrainian hryvnia, equivalent to 6.3 million US dollars, through contributions from over three hundred thousand individuals and companies from Ukraine and abroad.

Moreover, Ukraine has gained admiration for its robust cybersecurity measures, which have enabled the prevention of and response to cyberattacks on its networks and systems. The NATO-Ukraine Strategic Communications Partnership Roadmap, signed in 2015, aims to boost Ukraine's strategic communications abilities and cultivate a culture of strategic communications in Ukraine.

The activities of the Ukrainian military intelligence service, HUR, use intercepted phone calls of Russian soldiers to family members and regularly release excerpts of these calls on social media, including expressions of discontent, disappointment with their leadership, or confessions of (war) crimes. This transparency and accountability further distinguish Ukraine's approach in the information environment.

In conclusion, Ukraine's strategic communication approach, which emphasises transparency, evidence-based messaging, and collaboration with open-source intelligence groups, has proven to be a powerful tool in enhancing credibility, influencing audiences, and shaping the information environment during hybrid conflicts. This approach, combined with robust cybersecurity measures and strategic partnerships, positions Ukraine as a leader in strategic communication in the current geopolitical landscape.

This article does not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.

References:

[1] Major Peter Schrijver, a PhD researcher affiliated with the Netherlands Defence Academy, has academic interests focusing on Ukraine's operations in the information environment.

[1] Ukrainian scholars Tetiana Popova and Volodymyr Lipkan outlined the core features of the strategic communications concept as a coordinated effort involving both state and nonstate actors to manage information, including by using various methods to shape public opinion, safeguard information sovereignty, and advance national identity and interests.

[1] The activities of the Ukrainian military intelligence service, HUR, use intercepted phone calls of Russian soldiers to family members and regularly release excerpts of these calls on social media.

[1] Ukraine has earned praise for its effective communication of messages to both domestic and international audiences.

[1] The phone calls in Crimea bear a resemblance to similar warning calls and text messages received by Israeli citizens and Gaza residents over the past fifteen years during periods of tension between Israel and the de facto rulers of Gaza, Hamas.

[1] Ukraine's investments in strategic communications reflect a concept based on international alignment with NATO mixed with strong internal Ukrainian networks that developed in the years leading up to the invasion.

[1] In 2014, a report from the National Institute for Strategic Studies in Kyiv recognized the active role of civil society in countering Russian influence, but noted the government's tame media response toward the Russian campaign and the absence of a solid national strategy for sharing information.

[1] The NATO-Ukraine Strategic Communications Partnership Roadmap was signed in 2015, aiming to boost Ukraine's strategic communications abilities and cultivate a culture of strategic communications in Ukraine.

1. Ukraine's unique strategy in strategic communication, characterized by transparency, evidence-based messaging, and collaboration with open-source intelligence groups, has been a significant factor in enhancing Ukraine's credibility and influencing both domestic and international audiences.
2. In contrast to Russia's ambiguous, disinformation-laden, and opaque narrative strategy, Ukraine's approach to strategic communication is rooted in transparency, evidence, and collaboration, which has helped counter disinformation and strengthen Ukraine’s diplomatic position.
3. Israel's strategic communication strategy balances operational security with showcasing its technological superiority and intelligence capabilities, often incorporating rapid, precise messaging that integrates military achievements with diplomatic narratives.
4. In the information environment, Ukraine's practice of leveraging verified open-source information to build international credibility and psychological impact stands out and offers a strategic asset in hybrid conflicts where information integrity and real-time verification shape operational and diplomatic outcomes.
5. The evolution of Ukraine's strategic communication approach has been influenced by external factors, with clear parallels drawn between Ukraine and Israel, and improvements made in response to initial failures in the information environment.
6. Significant investments have been made in strategic communications in Ukraine, including a successful crowdfunding effort to procure drones and ammunition for Ukrainian forces, and the development of robust cybersecurity measures, positioning Ukraine as a leader in strategic communication in the current geopolitical landscape.

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