Fast Facts: Seven Types of Disinformation to Recognize

Russian disinformation campaigns targeting Ukraine have intensified, according to a new intelligence report released today. Analysts have documented at least 400 separate influence operations in the past month alone, representing a 35% increase from previous quarters.

False information and manipulated narratives have become weapons in modern conflict, with increasingly sophisticated technology making detection more challenging. Ukrainian officials have identified seven distinct categories of disinformation being deployed against their country, each designed to achieve specific psychological and strategic objectives.

The most prevalent tactic involves fabricated stories about Ukrainian military defeats, which accounted for approximately 40% of the documented cases. These narratives typically feature altered footage, misleading captions, or entirely manufactured events designed to demoralize both soldiers and civilians.

“We’re seeing increasingly sophisticated deepfake videos showing surrendering Ukrainian troops that never actually surrendered,” said Oleksandra Matviychuk, head of Ukraine’s Center for Digital Resilience. “The quality of these forgeries has improved dramatically in recent months.”

The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2025 identified misinformation and disinformation as the most significant short-term risks facing the global community. The report specifically highlighted how artificial intelligence technologies have accelerated both the creation and distribution of false content.

“Threat actors, state agencies in some countries, activist groups, and individuals who may or may not have criminal intentions can automate and expand disinformation campaigns, greatly increasing their reach and impact,” the WEF report stated.

Security experts have observed a clear shift toward more targeted disinformation campaigns. Rather than broad, easily debunked falsehoods, modern disinformation often contains elements of truth strategically twisted to serve specific narratives.

The seven categories of disinformation identified in the analysis include false flag operations, manipulated context, impersonation, fabricated content, misleading content, satire or parody misrepresented as fact, and sponsored content masquerading as independent journalism.

Intelligence agencies report that coordinated networks of both automated and human-operated accounts spread this content across platforms, creating the impression of organic, widespread belief in false narratives. This technique, known as “manufactured consensus,” aims to normalize extreme viewpoints.

“What makes today’s disinformation particularly effective is how it exploits existing social divisions,” explained Dr. Mikhail Kovalenko, professor of information security at Kyiv National University. “When societies are already polarized, people are more likely to accept information that reinforces their existing beliefs, regardless of its accuracy.”

International social media platforms have struggled to contain the flow of disinformation. While major companies have expanded fact-checking operations and implemented new policies against manipulated media, the volume and sophistication of false content continue to overwhelm these efforts.

The European Union’s Digital Services Act has imposed stricter requirements on platforms operating in member states, including more robust content moderation and greater transparency about algorithmic recommendation systems. However, enforcement remains challenging, particularly when disinformation originates from state actors outside EU jurisdiction.

Technology companies have responded by developing AI tools to detect manipulated media, but these solutions remain locked in an arms race with increasingly sophisticated falsification techniques.

Security experts emphasize that technical solutions alone cannot solve the disinformation crisis. Media literacy education and critical thinking skills are equally important components of societal resilience against false information.

“Understanding the taxonomy of disinformation is the first step in building defenses against it,” said Matviychuk. “When people can recognize the patterns and techniques being used to manipulate them, they become much less susceptible to these influences.”

As geopolitical tensions continue to rise globally, analysts expect disinformation campaigns to further intensify, potentially triggering civil unrest, electoral interference, and undermining public trust in democratic institutions.