Disinformation as a Tool of Hybrid Warfare: Russian Information Aggression Against Ukraine (2022–2025)

Abstract

This article examines the structure, mechanisms, and consequences of information aggression conducted by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in the context of full-scale war. The study conceptualizes information aggression as a complex system of influence based on the coordinated dissemination of false messages, the manipulation of public emotions, and the disruption of trust in legitimate informational institutions. Particular attention is given to the transformation of digital environments into primary channels of hostile influence, where algorithmic content distribution amplifies the spread of disinformation and deepens audience polarization. By analyzing narrative dynamics related to key wartime events, the article reveals how disinformation adapts to societal vulnerabilities and intensifies at critical moments. The study highlights the vulnerability of users with insufficient media literacy, who unintentionally facilitate further distribution of manipulative content through engagement-based virality mechanisms. Empirical findings suggest that campaigns targeting economic insecurity, military fatigue, and distrust toward political institutions significantly affect collective emotional states while shaping public assessments of Ukraine’s resilience and international support. Based on these results, the research argues for the strategic importance of strengthening media literacy, integrating fact-checking practices into the communication ecosystem, and fostering institutional cooperation between state and civil society actors. Understanding the logic of Russian information aggression remains essential for building structural resistance and safeguarding democratic stability during the ongoing conflict. The study employs qualitative content analysis of disinformation narratives documented in Ukrainian digital media (2022–2025). It draws on monitoring reports by the Institute of Mass Information (IMI), VoxCheck, and StopFake, combined with a systematic review of academic literature on information warfare and media trust.