Ukraine’s Tkachuk Urges Europe to Take Proactive Stance on Cyber Threats and Disinformation

Europe must take a more proactive stance against cyber threats and disinformation campaigns, according to Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Justice Nataliya Tkachuk, who emphasized the need for stronger continental cooperation during a recent security forum.

Speaking at a high-level European security conference, Tkachuk outlined how Ukraine’s experience combating Russian cyber warfare and propaganda offers critical lessons for the broader European community. She highlighted that Ukrainian institutions have been on the frontlines of digital attacks since the conflict began, developing expertise that could benefit European partners.

“What we’ve learned in Ukraine is that waiting for cyber attacks to happen before responding is a failed strategy,” Tkachuk said. “Europe needs to build preventative systems and share intelligence more effectively across borders if we want to protect our critical infrastructure and democratic processes.”

The deputy minister pointed to several alarming trends in Russian cyber operations, including increasingly sophisticated attacks targeting energy grids, transportation networks, and government systems. These attacks often precede or accompany physical military operations, creating a multi-dimensional threat that traditional security frameworks struggle to address.

Tkachuk’s warnings come amid growing concern throughout Europe about the vulnerability of essential services to digital disruption. Just last month, several European countries reported unusual activity in their networks managing water treatment facilities, while financial institutions across the continent have documented a 40% increase in attempted breaches since January.

Disinformation campaigns represent an equally pressing challenge, according to Tkachuk. Russian-backed operations have evolved beyond crude propaganda to include highly targeted messaging that exploits social divisions and undermines trust in democratic institutions. These campaigns increasingly use artificial intelligence to create convincing fake content and deploy it across multiple platforms simultaneously.

“What makes modern disinformation so dangerous is its precision,” Tkachuk explained. “It’s designed to reach specific vulnerable populations with exactly the message that will cause maximum disruption. We’re seeing this weaponized against elections, public health measures, and social cohesion.”

Security analysts across Europe have echoed Tkachuk’s concerns. Janusz Kowalski, director of the European Cyber Defense Initiative, noted that the sophistication of recent attacks suggests state-level backing and coordination. “What Ukraine is facing today, the rest of Europe could face tomorrow,” Kowalski said. “Their experience provides an invaluable early warning system.”

Tkachuk proposed several concrete steps for strengthening Europe’s resilience against these threats. She advocated for the creation of a pan-European rapid response cyber team that could deploy resources to member states during critical incidents. Additionally, she recommended standardized protocols for information sharing that would overcome current bureaucratic hurdles.

The digital threats extend beyond government and infrastructure to private industry as well. Several European energy companies have reported reconnaissance activities that bear hallmarks of Russian state-backed hackers. These intrusions appear designed to map vulnerabilities that could be exploited during moments of geopolitical tension.

Media literacy programs represent another crucial component of Tkachuk’s proposed strategy. “Teaching citizens to recognize manipulation attempts is as important as technical defenses,” she stated. “An informed population is much harder to mislead.”

European Commission officials attending the forum acknowledged the urgency of Tkachuk’s message. Margot Wallström, EU Commissioner for Digital Affairs, announced plans to increase funding for cross-border cyber cooperation by 30% in next year’s budget. “Ukraine’s experience has been a wake-up call for all of us,” Wallström said.

As Europe grapples with these evolving threats, Ukraine continues to serve as both warning and model. The country has established specialized units within its security services dedicated to countering disinformation, while also building public-private partnerships to protect critical infrastructure.

“What Ukraine understands is that cyber defense isn’t just a technical problem—it’s a whole-of-society challenge,” concluded Tkachuk. “Europe needs to recognize that passive defense is no longer sufficient. We must proactively identify vulnerabilities, share intelligence, and build resilient systems before attacks occur.”