REPORT TO THE PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE OF THE NAS OF UKRAINE

On January 28, 2026, Yurii Nikolaiets, Doctor of Historical Sciences and Deputy Director of the Institute, delivered a report at the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. In his presentation, titled “Countering Destructive Information Influences in Ukraine Amidst the Russo-Ukrainian War” he emphasized that sources of destructive influence within the information and communication environment can include not only hostile media outlets but also domestic resources. The desire to embellish the state of affairs (often hoping for increased aid from allies or partners), ‘whitewash’ the country’s top military and political leadership—some of whose actions have proven erroneous—conceal the consequences of ill-advised personnel policies or economic reforms, or shift responsibility for failed actions (typically onto the military or foreign partners whose aid is labeled ‘insufficient’ or ‘untimely’) can itself become a source of destructive information influence.

The threat of destructive information influences resulting from internal political struggles may lie in creating circumstances that lead to a sharp decline in trust in the authorities, which becomes an obstacle to implementing policies aimed at organizing resistance against the enemy.

Under such conditions, a network of high-quality regional media and national media supported by Western funding can serve as an alternative to the nationwide telethon. In this context, it is necessary to work with media consumers to increase the information responsibility of citizens. A clear understanding must be formed regarding the limited trust that should be placed in anonymous sources, especially those that do not produce content on a consistent basis.

A vital pillar of state information policy remains the preservation of national unity in the ongoing struggle against the aggressor. To bolster the social mobilization potential, the state must disseminate content highlighting the prospects of post-war reconstruction. This includes the implementation of innovative projects, the modernization of economic activity, the reform of business-government relations, and the strengthening of interregional ties. Furthermore, strategic communication should emphasize the unique expertise of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which have successfully navigated the largest-scale conflict since World War II, neutralizing over a million invaders and destroying vast quantities of enemy equipment, including significant portions of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and strategic aviation through the pioneering use of remote-controlled and robotic systems.

Ukraine’s countermeasures against destructive information influences must extend beyond Russian propaganda. It is essential to recognize that such influences can also originate from domestic political actors, civil society, or even international partners. Ensuring effective resistance to these threats is a critical necessity during the war and will remain a cornerstone of national security in the post-war era.