“The war against our country is not only in the kinetic dimension, involving armored vehicles, drones and personnel. The enemy is also actively waging an information war against Ukraine. Despite technological progress, a part of society demonstrates an alarming primitivization of thinking – in particular, under the influence of social networks such as TikTok, where information campaigns are coordinated to undermine trust in the state and legislation. These destructive information influences will only increase, increasing the risks to the state’s information security.”
This was stated by Yuriy Goncharenko, Chairman of the Ukrainian Security Club and head of the InfoLight.UA research and analytical group, at a meeting of the Ukrainian Security Club on June 5 in Zhytomyr.
In the context of a full-scale war against Ukraine, the information space has become a full-fledged battlefield. In addition to traditional military threats, the enemy is actively using digital platforms to destabilize the situation inside the country. Particular attention should be paid to the TikTok platform, which, according to a number of international studies, has the potential for mass behavioral manipulation.
“The format of short videos promotes dopamine addiction, which reduces the ability of users to critically perceive information. Similarly to the mechanics of slot machines, TikTok’s algorithms deliberately alternate between interesting and less interesting videos, creating an” emotional swing “effect. Accordingly, the audience’s vulnerability to manipulative messages, including disinformation, is growing,” the expert emphasized.
An example of the effective use of TikTok as a tool of political influence is the elections in Romania (2024), where a pro-Russian candidate was able to increase support from 3% to over 20% thanks to the active work of influencers on TikTok and Telegram. In the process of promoting an unspecified figure, mass influence tools were used, which later turned into a targeted campaign in favor of a specific candidate.
According to Yuriy Honcharenko, Ukraine is already witnessing manifestations of such scenarios. In particular, the intensification of information campaigns on TikTok and Telegram is aimed at delegitimizing the state’s mobilization policy. Messages about the so-called “human status” or “the right not to participate in hostilities” are being spread on the basis of distorted provisions of the Constitution. Such narratives are coordinated within digital communities and have all the signs of organized information influence.
These processes require enhanced monitoring and prompt response at the level of state information security, including algorithmic audit of platforms, digital education of citizens, and work with key risk groups.
On Thursday, June 5, the Ukrainian Security Club held a regular offsite meeting in Zhytomyr on the topic “National Security and Internal Cohesion: Challenges and Prospects”. The event was attended by military personnel, veterans, academics, volunteers, representatives of local government and business, historians and experts. The participants analyzed the threats at the local level, as well as the situation in the country as a whole and in Zhytomyr region in particular.
As a result of the meeting, a number of practical recommendations were developed to strengthen the region’s security, support veterans, and develop a system of national-patriotic education. The organizers of the event plan to submit these proposals to state and local authorities.
The Ukrainian Security Club is a platform that brings together representatives of the Security and Defense Forces, government and local self-government, think tanks, academics, public and political figures, and entrepreneurs who coordinate their activities to ensure Ukraine’s stable development, achieve sustainable peace, overcome internal contradictions, and promote social cohesion.
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