Ukraine Strengthens Platform Regulation to Counter Disinformation and Foreign Interference

Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine has intensified the battle on another critical front: information warfare. A new comprehensive analysis published by the European Audiovisual Observatory examines how Ukraine has responded to sustained disinformation campaigns and media interference amid conflict and its path toward European integration.

The report, titled “Platform regulation, disinformation and FIMI in Ukraine,” offers detailed insights into Ukraine’s media landscape as it navigates the dual challenges of war and digital transformation. Released four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion began, the study provides valuable context on Ukraine’s fight against foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

The timing is particularly significant as Ukraine prepares to join the European Audiovisual Observatory as a member state in June 2025, marking an important step in the country’s broader European integration efforts. A team of Ukrainian experts—Roman Horbyk, Tetiana Avdieieva, Dariia Opryshko, Oleksandr Monastyrskyi, and Igor Rozkladaj—authored the report, bringing essential local expertise to the analysis.

Ukraine has faced sustained foreign interference in its media ecosystem for years, creating unique challenges that intensified dramatically following Russia’s full-scale invasion. The report details how Ukrainian authorities and civil society have developed countermeasures against Russian disinformation campaigns that have targeted the country’s social cohesion, democratic institutions, and international reputation.

The European Audiovisual Observatory, operating under the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, serves as a pan-European organization dedicated to gathering and distributing information about audiovisual industries across the continent. Its analysis comes at a critical juncture when European policymakers are increasingly concerned about information integrity and platform governance amid rising geopolitical tensions.

For Ukraine, the stakes are particularly high. Russian disinformation efforts have represented a significant national security threat, attempting to undermine public trust in Ukrainian institutions and sow division among its citizens and international allies. The country’s experience offers valuable lessons for other European nations facing similar challenges from hostile information operations.

The report examines Ukraine’s legislative and regulatory frameworks designed to counter foreign information manipulation while balancing democratic values and freedom of expression. This includes recent media laws passed by Ukraine’s parliament that align with European Union directives on audiovisual media services, a key component of Ukraine’s EU accession path.

Of particular interest is Ukraine’s approach to digital platform regulation—an area where many European countries are still developing frameworks. The Ukrainian experience provides insights into how democracies under extreme pressure can develop mechanisms to protect their information spaces without undermining fundamental rights.

The publication also addresses the role of Ukrainian civil society organizations and fact-checking initiatives that have emerged as crucial elements in building media resilience. These grassroots efforts complement government actions and have been instrumental in identifying and countering disinformation narratives.

International support mechanisms, including those from the Council of Europe and other European institutions, are highlighted as important factors in strengthening Ukraine’s capacity to defend its information space. These collaborative efforts underscore the recognition that information warfare extends beyond national borders and requires coordinated responses.

As debates about platform accountability and digital sovereignty continue across Europe, Ukraine’s case study illustrates the complex interplay between national security concerns and democratic principles in the digital age. The report contributes to a growing body of research on how democracies can build resilience against information threats while preserving media freedom.

The European Audiovisual Observatory’s analysis comes as European Union member states implement the Digital Services Act and other regulatory frameworks designed to increase platform accountability and transparency, making Ukraine’s experiences particularly relevant to broader European policy discussions.