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Public opinion on the Russia-Ukraine war may be shifting in Canada, according to security officials who are raising alarms about the effectiveness of Russian disinformation campaigns. Despite polling data showing that 87% of Canadians still blame Russia for the conflict, National Security Advisor Nathalie Drouin warned parliament in February that more Canadians are beginning to believe Moscow’s narrative that Kyiv provoked the 2022 invasion.
The warning comes amid growing concerns about Russia’s increasingly sophisticated information warfare operations targeting Western democracies. Marcus Kolga, an analyst specializing in foreign disinformation, notes that Drouin’s access to classified intelligence suggests “a dangerous erosion is occurring beneath the surface” of public opinion.
“The fact that (Nathalie Drouin) is concerned that there may be a shift should concern all of us,” Kolga told the Kyiv Independent.
Canada’s experience mirrors broader patterns seen across Western nations. In the United States, the Department of Justice recently dismantled what it described as a Russian-backed “AI content farm” designed to flood digital spaces with millions of AI-generated personas spreading pro-Kremlin narratives. U.S. intelligence officials have warned that some of these talking points have successfully penetrated mainstream political discourse, with President Donald Trump echoing claims in 2025 that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is a “dictator without elections.”
Similar operations have targeted European nations. Germany and the United Kingdom have faced “Doppelganger” campaigns where clone websites mimicking established news outlets like Der Spiegel and The Guardian publish misleading content designed to erode support for Ukraine. According to data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Russian sabotage and subversion attempts in Europe nearly tripled between 2023 and 2024.
Canadian Senator Stan Kutcher describes these efforts as a “grey zone soft attack” on democratic institutions. “We may not think we’re at war with Russia, but Russia is at war with us,” Kutcher told the Kyiv Independent. The senator has initiated a Senate study on Russian disinformation and its impact on Canadian civil society, with a report expected by the end of April that will include recommendations for countering Russian influence campaigns.
The erosion of mainstream media access has exacerbated the problem. Meta’s 2023 news ban in Canada, which blocked news articles on Facebook and Instagram for Canadian users, has pushed more people toward less regulated platforms like TikTok, X, and LinkedIn, creating new vulnerabilities in the information ecosystem.
Canada faces particular challenges due to its diverse, fragmented media landscape. Because news often travels through isolated, niche channels rather than a unified national discourse, it becomes easier for foreign actors to bypass mainstream scrutiny and target specific diaspora communities.
Experts identify three main categories of Russian disinformation targeting Canadians: narratives questioning the use of taxpayer dollars for Ukraine, false pacifism that frames Canadian support as betraying the country’s peaceful identity, and personal attacks aimed at Ukrainian-Canadian leaders. A notable example was the coordinated smear campaign against former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, whose Ukrainian heritage made her a target for Russian propaganda that was eventually amplified by voices on both the political far-left and far-right.
“The narrative about Ukrainians, Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians being somehow fascists or neo-Nazis has been around since the end of the Second World War,” Kolga explains. “It was used to discredit and dehumanize anyone who fled Soviet occupation.”
To counter these threats, Senator Kutcher has begun holding awareness sessions for Ukrainian diaspora communities in cities like Edmonton and Ottawa. “We have to stop playing defense and start playing offense,” Kutcher said. “The Ukrainian diaspora is going to have to step up and be part of the civil society response.”
Kolga advocates for stronger regulatory frameworks aligned with European standards to force greater accountability from social media platforms. “Over the past year, we’ve seen social media companies completely abandon moderation,” he notes, suggesting that Canada should coordinate with European partners to enforce compliance with digital safety standards.
Beyond regulation, Kolga proposes a more proactive intelligence strategy that engages with independent journalists from Russia and Belarus who are currently living in exile. “There is a massive opportunity for us to tap into those resources,” he says, arguing that these exiled voices could provide Canadians with more accurate information about what is happening inside Russia and Belarus.
As the information battlefield continues to evolve, Canadian officials acknowledge that maintaining public support for Ukraine will require not just defensive measures against disinformation, but a more assertive approach to ensuring factual narratives remain dominant in public discourse.
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10 Comments
This is concerning news. Russia’s disinformation campaign seems to be gaining traction in Canada, despite the public’s strong initial support for Ukraine. We must remain vigilant against foreign influence operations that seek to erode democratic consensus.
Agreed. Combating disinformation requires a multi-pronged approach of fact-based reporting, media literacy education, and strengthening democratic resilience. Canada must not let Russia’s narrative undermine its principled stance on Ukraine.
This report highlights the insidious nature of Russia’s information warfare tactics. The ability to subtly shift public opinion, even in countries firmly allied with Ukraine, is a worrying development. Canadians must remain vigilant and critical consumers of online content to combat this threat.
I agree, this is a complex challenge that requires a multifaceted response. Strengthening digital literacy, supporting independent journalism, and calling out disinformation when it occurs will be key to maintaining Canada’s principled stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The report highlights the sophisticated nature of Russia’s information warfare tactics. Targeting public opinion in Western democracies is a concerning strategy to sow division and weaken support for Ukraine. Canadians must stay informed and critical of online narratives.
You’re right, this is a complex challenge. While free speech is essential, we must find ways to counter malicious disinformation without infringing on legitimate public discourse. Maintaining trust in institutions and the rule of law will be key.
This is a troubling trend that deserves close attention. Russia’s ability to effectively manipulate public opinion, even in countries firmly aligned with Ukraine, demonstrates the urgent need for robust digital literacy and media safeguards. Canada must remain vigilant.
Absolutely. The battle against disinformation is not just a domestic issue, but a global one that requires international cooperation. Canada should work with allies to develop coordinated strategies to protect the integrity of information spaces.
The erosion of public support for Ukraine in Canada, as described in this report, is deeply concerning. Russia’s disinformation campaigns pose a serious threat to democratic unity and stability. Canadians must stay informed and vigilant to prevent further undermining of their principles.
You make a good point. Maintaining a strong, fact-based narrative is crucial in the face of Russia’s attempts to sow discord. Canada should continue to provide unwavering support for Ukraine while also investing in media literacy and counter-disinformation efforts.