Russian ZOV Propaganda Network Targeting Ukrainians Exposed by CCD

Ukrainian Security Agency Exposes Russian Propaganda Network Targeting Major Cities

Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) has identified a sophisticated Russian propaganda operation dubbed “ZOV” that specifically targets Ukrainian civilians with localized disinformation campaigns across the country’s major population centers.

The network, which operates across multiple platforms, has established a significant digital footprint with content specifically tailored for 23 regions and 17 cities with populations exceeding 100,000, according to a statement posted by the CCD on Facebook.

Intelligence officials report that as of early 2026, the ZOV network comprises 68 websites, 40 Telegram channels, and 40 pages on VKontakte, a Russian social media platform that has been banned in Ukraine since 2017 as part of sanctions following Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

Digital forensics revealed that all websites within the network are registered with Reg.ru, a Moscow-based hosting provider and domain registrar, establishing a clear connection to Russian interests. This technical evidence strengthens Ukrainian authorities’ claims of direct Russian involvement in the propaganda effort.

The CCD’s analysis indicates that the network’s content follows consistent propaganda patterns, systematically distorting information about Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, which began with the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The operation appears particularly focused on misrepresenting regional socio-political and economic developments to undermine Ukrainian public morale and social cohesion.

“The network continuously spreads discrediting, manipulative, and false messages targeting Ukraine’s military and political leadership,” the CCD stated in its report, highlighting how the propaganda aims to erode trust in Ukrainian institutions during wartime.

This discovery comes amid growing concerns about Russia’s evolving information warfare tactics. Since the beginning of the conflict, Russian disinformation efforts have become increasingly targeted and sophisticated, moving beyond broad messaging to highly localized content designed to resonate with specific Ukrainian communities.

Media experts note that such localization represents an advanced propaganda approach, allowing for more effective penetration of information defenses by tailoring content to regional concerns, local events, and community-specific issues that might not be addressed by national media.

The ZOV network appears to be part of Russia’s broader strategy of maintaining psychological pressure on Ukrainian civilians while its military operations continue in eastern and southern Ukraine. The name “ZOV” itself carries symbolic significance, as the letters Z and V have been used as military symbols by Russian forces during the invasion.

In a related development, the CCD also reported that AI-generated videos encouraging violence against staff at Ukraine’s Territorial Recruitment Centers are circulating on TikTok, suggesting a coordinated effort to disrupt Ukraine’s military recruitment and mobilization efforts.

Ukrainian security experts warn that the combination of localized propaganda and AI-generated content represents a new phase in Russia’s information warfare, one that leverages advanced technology to create more convincing and targeted disinformation.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has significantly enhanced its capabilities to detect and counter disinformation, with the CCD playing a central role in these efforts. However, the evolving nature of these threats continues to present challenges for Ukrainian authorities as they work to maintain information security during wartime.

The CCD continues to monitor the ZOV network and similar propaganda operations, while urging Ukrainian citizens to remain vigilant against manipulative content and to rely on verified information sources during the ongoing conflict.