Disinformation, defined as intentional manipulation to influence public opinion during warfare, extends the battlefield beyond conflict zones and challenges the boundaries between peace and war. This project focuses on Russian disinformation targeting Ukraine amid the ongoing war, which escalated in February 2022.
The research questions explore the evolution of Russian disinformation narratives and techniques before and after the second invasion and the political factors that influence Ukrainian perception of this disinformation. Using latent qualitative content analysis, this study examines Russian malign informational interference targeting Ukraine on Telegram’s social media platform. It analyzes the narratives from 10 pro-Russian Telegram channels in Ukraine over the period from 2019 to 2025. Focus groups will examine audience perceptions in four regions of Eastern and Southern Ukraine, as well as in Kyiv.
By combining these methods, the project aims to deepen understanding of the relationship between disinformation techniques and public perception. The study contributes to the knowledge of macro-level perceptions of disinformation and its varying susceptibility across different social groups in Ukraine. By focusing on identity, political culture and sociopolitical vulnerabilities, the study provides insight into the relationship between disinformation tactics and the ability to resist them in the context of war.