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Ukrainian Intelligence Expands List of Russian Propagandists in Ongoing Information War
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate and the Center for Countering Disinformation have added five new names to their “Kremlin Mouthpieces” registry on the War&Sanctions portal, according to a statement from the State Emergency Service press office.
The expanded list identifies individuals allegedly involved in Russian disinformation campaigns designed to justify Moscow’s military aggression against Ukraine and discredit Ukrainian defense forces. This move represents the latest effort in Ukraine’s strategy to combat Russian information warfare, which has been a key component of the broader conflict since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Among those newly added to the registry are figures from various professional backgrounds, demonstrating the diverse nature of Russia’s propaganda apparatus. Volodymyr Agranovych, a director who reportedly received state grants to create propaganda materials about Donbas, is included for his cultural productions promoting narratives about the “new territories” – a term used by Russia for occupied Ukrainian regions.
Serhiy Kolyasnikov, a member of the Council of Bloggers at Russia’s State Duma and contributor to major Russian news outlets including “Lenta.ru,” “Gazeta.Ru,” and “RIA Novosti,” has been added for his role in disseminating pro-Kremlin narratives across multiple platforms.
The registry also names Salina Gurevich, described as a Russian lawyer and public figure who serves as an expert at the “Monitoring Center for Detecting Dangerous and Prohibited Content,” an organization that critics say helps enforce Russia’s increasingly restrictive information laws.
Ivan Otrykovsky, a Russian military figure who in 2022 established an NGO to collect funds and material support for Russian forces in Ukraine, appears on the list for his active support of the invasion.
The fifth addition, Dmytro Borysenko, is identified as a blogger and media personality who allegedly visited Ukrainian National Television facilities to create propaganda materials that portrayed Ukrainian service members as “Nazis” – echoing a central theme in Russia’s justification for its military campaign.
“Russian propaganda voices should be blocked worldwide,” the Intelligence Directorate emphasized in its statement. “The General Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, together with the Center for Countering Disinformation, call on the countries of the free world to take decisive action against the aggressor’s ‘propaganda troops.'”
The statement urges international partners to implement personal sanctions, block public and financial activities, impose travel bans, and terminate all cooperation with individuals who “serve the Russian Federation’s war” through their words.
This initiative comes in the context of broader efforts to counter Russian disinformation. On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree introducing new sanctions against individuals supporting the Russian occupation, spreading propaganda, distorting history, and removing cultural artifacts from Crimea.
The international community has increasingly recognized the importance of countering Russian information warfare. Recently, the European Union Council imposed sanctions against four individuals for disseminating Russian propaganda and disinformation related to the war in Ukraine.
Media analysts note that identifying propagandists represents just one aspect of Ukraine’s multi-pronged approach to information defense, which also includes promoting factual reporting about the conflict, documenting war crimes, and maintaining international awareness of ongoing Russian aggression. As the conflict continues into its third year, the information battleground remains as critical as ever to both sides’ strategic objectives.
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9 Comments
Kudos to Ukraine for taking this proactive step to identify and call out the key figures behind Russia’s disinformation campaigns. Exposing the propagandists and their motives is an important part of the information war.
This news highlights the importance of maintaining a vigilant and well-informed public in the face of concerted disinformation efforts. I hope Ukraine’s actions will inspire greater media literacy and critical thinking among citizens to resist the influence of these propagandists.
It’s worrying to see the diverse range of individuals involved in Russia’s propaganda apparatus. This highlights the scale and sophistication of their information warfare efforts. Rigorous fact-checking and public awareness campaigns will be key to combating this threat.
It’s concerning to see how Russia is trying to normalize its occupation of Ukrainian territories through propaganda. Highlighting the individuals involved and their tactics is a necessary step, but the broader challenge of combating state-sponsored disinformation remains daunting.
I agree. This is a complex and ongoing battle, and Ukraine will need sustained international support to effectively counter Russia’s propaganda machine. Transparency and accountability will be crucial.
This is a concerning development, as Russia seems to be doubling down on its disinformation campaigns despite growing global condemnation. Propaganda is a powerful weapon in modern conflicts, and Ukraine is right to take steps to counter it.
You’re absolutely right. Exposing and discrediting these propagandists is crucial to undermining Russia’s narrative and maintaining public support for Ukraine.
The inclusion of individuals from the cultural sphere, like the director Volodymyr Agranovych, shows how Russia is trying to co-opt the arts and media to advance its narrative. Ukraine’s counter-measures are necessary, but will they be enough to overcome Russia’s vast propaganda machine?
That’s a good point. Russia’s propaganda efforts extend far beyond traditional news media, so Ukraine will need a multi-pronged approach to effectively counter the disinformation. Consistent, fact-based messaging across all platforms will be crucial.