Crimean information front in the crosshairs of Russian propaganda

Recently, the information space, in particular regarding the temporarily occupied Crimea, has been under attack from Russian propaganda again. The flow of fakes is spreading through anonymous telegram channels, fake video blogs, fake accounts and pseudo-experts on social media.

These threats and ways to counteract them were discussed by Olga Volyanyuk, an expert at the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, political scientist and associate professor<span><span><span><span><span><span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

She noted that the distrust of Russian "media" is due to their complete dependence on the government and lack of journalistic standards. Any attempts to conduct independent journalism in Russia are severely suppressed - journalists are forced to emigrate or go to jail. Under such conditions, the media becomes part of the repressive machine.

Kremlin propaganda creates an alternative reality: it silences internal problems and imposes narratives about "enemy conspiracies" or "the collapse of the West." The information space is turning into a tool of attack - the enemy is not just shaping the news, but sending manipulative messages that affect the psyche. The aggressor is waging digital warfare as aggressively as armed warfare to demoralize, break down journalism, and promote its agenda.

Back in 2014, Ukrainian media were among the first targets of Russian seizures, both in Crimea and in the east. Since 2022, our TV towers and repeaters have been under missile attack. The enemy is well aware of the cost of controlling the information field," Volyanyuk said.

"The resources disguised as Ukrainian are particularly dangerous: telegram channels, bloggers and "commentators" who appear to be ours but work in the interests of the aggressor. According to Volianiuk, even before the full-scale invasion, Russia created a network of so-called "infoparasites" on the peninsula that actively manipulate emotions, call for radical actions and fuel panic. Even reposting a fake publication is a contribution to a hostile information attack.

Propaganda messages are spread through social networks, mobile applications, and even computer games. The expert emphasized that each information influence should be analyzed: what is its purpose, who benefits from this emotion, what action is being attempted?

The aggressor country deliberately promotes fear, disbelief and disinformation. According to the expert, countering fakes is part of the national resistance. It is necessary not only to maintain distrust of suspicious sources but also to actively expose lies. Propaganda statements, including those about the nuclear threat, are not emotional outbursts, but carefully calibrated attacks on the psychological stability of society.

In May, the occupiers opened a studio for another fake TV channel in Simferopol, using equipment stolen from the Suspilne.Kherson TV and radio company during the escape from the region in 2022. Due to a shortage of staff in Kherson, content production was moved closer to the location of a local gauleiter, who has now become the main "face" of this project.

Анна Бальчінос