THE UKRAINIAN EXPERIENCE OF COUNTERING INFORMATION WARFARE OF RUSSIA IN UKRAINE IN CONDITIONS OF FULL-SCALE WAR

Abstract

The article attempts to analyze the Ukrainian experience of countering the infor- mation war of the russian federation in Ukraine in the conditions of a full-scale war. It is noted that the russian federation exerts a permanent informational influ- ence on the Ukrainian information space to spread narratives, fakes, PSYOP, and propaganda beneficial to the Kremlin. The main features of the Russian informa- tion war in Ukraine are outlined. It has been proven that the Kremlin, among other things, actively uses historical, cultural, linguistic and religious concepts in its information wars. Therefore, Ukraine tries to actively resist such influences by denying frankly false or distorted historical facts, defending its Church, language, and culture, gets rid of everything russian in toponyms, books, leisure, etc. At the state level, several draft laws have been initiated on the ban of the entry of russian citizens, on the status and use of the Ukrainian language in various spheres. In particular, the public performance, showing, and demonstration of phonograms, videograms, and music videos by artists who are citizens of the aggressor state is prohibited, the import of publishing products from russia, the temporarily oc- cupied territories of Ukraine, and belarus, as well as the publication and sale of books authored by russian citizens, is prohibited. In Ukraine, measures have been taken to stimulate the development of Ukrainian book publishing and book dis- tribution, a system of compensation payments for renting premises, and special certificates for the purchase of books has been worked out.

Various forms of counteraction to russian informational influences are analyzed. These include the activity of the political and military leadership in social net- works, the video address of the President and the activity of other key perso- nalities, and the confrontation of memes. It is noted that the authorities, Ukrai- nian figures of culture, science, sports, show business, specialists in the field of information and communication technologies, etc., joined the countermeasures against the informational influences of the russian federation. It is indicated that the Ukrainian authorities establish and record the facts of mass murders of Ukrai- nians, terrorist acts, shelling, torture, sexual violence, and other crimes by the russian army. The aim is to counter russian propaganda, unite the world commu- nity on the side of truth, and bring criminals to justice.

It has been proven that various ministries and agencies are working to counteract Russian informational influences, in particular the Center for the Prevention of Disinformation at the National Security Council of Ukraine, and the Information Security Strategy is being implemented. It has been established that Ukraini- ans have learned to comply with the instructions of the authorities regarding the prohibition of filming or photographing places where rockets fall or other arri- vals. The movement of military equipment, places of deployment of weapons, equipment, personnel, etc., so that it does not under any circumstances fall into the hands of the enemy. Ukrainians have understood how important it is not to spread dubious or unverified information on their pages on social networks, and how important it is to verify information and its source. And how, ultimately, it is important to observe banal rules of information hygiene and increase the level of media literacy.