The report, “Information Environment Research: Ukraine,” was developed as part of the MUGA project, implemented by the INFO OPS Poland Foundation and DFRLab (Atlantic Council). Its primary objective is to comprehensively present Ukraine’s media landscape, encompassing both traditional media (television, press, radio, online portals) and new forms of communication (social media, bloggers, influencers, video platforms). In the report, we identify how various groups—including state and private entities, non-governmental organizations, religious leaders, and opinion leaders—influence the shaping of public debate and the formulation of narratives.
Separate chapters are dedicated to, among other topics, the analysis of citizens’ information habits, susceptibility to propaganda, and key tools used in disinformation and psychological operations (FIMI). Particular attention has been paid to activities aimed at influencing the perception of the West, democratic values, and relations with Poland. All of this serves a single goal: to understand the mechanisms and reach of hostile information campaigns, which are intensifying in the face of the armed conflict on Ukrainian territory.
The observations and conclusions presented in the report illustrate the complexity of the Ukrainian information environment, where diverse political, social, and economic interests intersect. They also highlight significant challenges related to escalating disinformation and manipulation in traditional and digital media. Awareness of these threats allows for better response and planning of actions to ensure information security—both at the level of state institutions and international organizations or local communities.
We hope that the discussed examples of propaganda operations and the presented recommendations will contribute to increasing the effectiveness of countering hostile information interference. Further cooperation in the area of experience exchange, training, and research—including within the MUGA project—remains crucial for maintaining Ukraine’s stability and protecting its integrity in a dynamically changing international environment.
The report was financed from the state budget as part of the competition of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland: “Public Diplomacy 2024-2025 – European Dimension and Countering Disinformation.”
This publication expresses solely the views of the author and cannot be identified with the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.
