Russian special services are preparing a large-scale information and psychological operation to discredit Ukraine’s military and political leadership, Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence (HUR) warned on January 27, 2023, Ukrainska Pravda reported.
Named targets
According to HUR, the campaign would target Chief of the General Staff Serhii Shaptala, SBU head Vasyl Maliuk, Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov, head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and acting National Police chief Ivan Vyhovskyi.
Fabricated stories
The operation would involve planting fabricated stories in Ukrainian and international media, HUR said, with the aim to “sow uncertainty about the defence capabilities of our state.” It could also be used to fuel domestic political instability and weaken international confidence in Ukraine.
Amid real scandals
The warning came amid a wave of resignations and dismissals in Ukraine’s government over corruption allegations, including over Defence Ministry food procurement contracts, which the ministry denied. Several deputy ministers and regional governors were dismissed in late January.
Russia has waged extensive disinformation campaigns since the start of the full-scale invasion, seeking to undermine trust in Ukraine’s leadership at home and abroad.
Sources
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