Shifting the Propaganda Vector
According to Anton Zemlyanoi, a senior analyst at the Communications Security Department (CSD), Russian propaganda talking points regarding mobilization underwent a noticeable transformation in September and October. While September focused primarily on intimidating citizens with service conditions and attempting to deter Ukrainians from joining the army, October's narrative shifted toward discrediting and undermining the state's legitimacy. The enemy sought to convince audiences that the state allegedly has no right to demand mandatory service, scaling up individual mobilization conflicts into a confrontation between citizens and the authorities, or even a 'civil war.'
Manipulation and Fake News
As Zemlyanoi notes, this new phase manifested primarily in manipulations surrounding unverified scales of special operations, calls for armed resistance, and the spread of numerous fakes. Specifically, reports emerged about alleged 'selling of soldiers for organs,' intentional starvation, and barrier detachments targeting deserters. The analyst warns that such radicalization of the discussion is dangerous: it can escalate public polarization and create conditions for internal destabilization, making systematic countermeasures imperative.
Artificial Intelligence in Disinformation
A separate channel for spreading disinformation has been video materials generated using artificial intelligence. According to Zemlyanoi, a song-format generated video is circulating on TikTok, mocking the actions of the authorities and calling for the impeachment of the president. Such content is frequently disguised as legal advice or patriotic material, and its amplification by users and bot accounts significantly exacerbates the negative perception of mobilization measures overall.
Principles of Counteraction
To counter enemy narratives, the analyst believes communication must be based on balance and trust-building: equally covering the protection of citizens' rights and accountability for illegal actions by officials, while explaining legislative duties. Proactive communication by state institutions and prompt, objective responses to conflict incidents are critically active components: reports of potential violations by Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) representatives must be accompanied by information verification and coverage of official investigation results. At the same time, cases of citizens violating mobilization legislation requirements, obstructing the lawful activities of TRCs, and attacking military personnel must not be ignored. Zemlyanoi highlights the cooperation between the Lviv region TRC and local media as a successful example of countering information and psychological influence.
Legislative Steps
According to the analyst, legislative initiatives also contribute to reinforcing positive trends. Particular attention from users was drawn by reports regarding Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Order No. 423 on standardizing procedures and respecting the rights of mobilized personnel, as well as the approval of an amendment regarding liability for illegal military registration. When properly implemented, such measures, Zemlyanoi notes, can help reduce conflicts surrounding the topic of mobilization and increase trust in state institutions.
