Ukraine’s Expertise Bolsters European Defenses Against Disinformation

European and Ukrainian policymakers, security experts, and civil society leaders gathered in Brussels this week for “Resilient Europe,” a high-level forum focused on countering Russian propaganda and disinformation. Hosted at the European Parliament, the event highlighted Ukraine’s frontline experience battling hybrid warfare and how these lessons can strengthen European democratic resilience.

The forum, co-organized by the Institute for Democracy and Development “PolitA,” brought together representatives from EU institutions, national governments, research centers, cultural organizations, and Ukrainian experts to examine cognitive and information threats posed by the Russian Federation.

“Disinformation thrives where influence is opaque,” noted Kateryna Odarchenko, Head of the Institute for Democracy and Development “PolitA” and partner of SIC Group USA LLC. “Europe must address not only propaganda, but also hidden lobbying networks that distort democratic decision-making under the guise of civil society or cultural exchange.”

The conference focused on several critical themes: strategic narrative-building, the weaponization of culture and art, and the various instruments Russia employs to influence public opinion and decision-making within the EU.

Ukraine’s decade-long experience facing Russian disinformation campaigns has created a valuable knowledge base increasingly relevant for European democracies. Ukrainian research institutions and civil society organizations have systematically documented hostile narratives, influence networks, and manipulation tactics that now threaten European stability.

Participants emphasized that propaganda extends beyond simple misinformation. It represents a long-term strategy designed to undermine political stability and institutional integrity in Western democracies by inflaming internal divisions, radicalizing opposition, and destabilizing societies.

Violetta Dvornikova, Head of the European Association of Ukrainian Women, highlighted how Russian propaganda systematically misrepresents Ukrainian female refugees in Europe. “Disinformation narratives portray Ukrainian women as a social burden or source of instability, fueling discrimination and harassment,” she explained.

Regional perspectives revealed how these tactics adapt to different European contexts. Ivanna Khodos, leading the Refugee International Women Empowerment Foundation in Bulgaria, described a deeply concerning situation: “In Bulgaria, Russian disinformation is not marginal—it is systemic. Bulgaria is a member of both the EU and NATO, yet pro-Russian narratives are deeply embedded in media, political discourse, and public attitudes.”

The conference also addressed how disinformation enables human rights violations. Iryna Kopanytsia, an international communication specialist, pointed to Russia’s systematic abduction of Ukrainian children while simultaneously running disinformation campaigns to obscure these crimes.

“Disinformation is not an abstract threat—it creates conditions in which crimes can be hidden, normalized, or denied,” Kopanytsia said. “When Ukrainian children are taken from their families, information warfare becomes a tool to erase responsibility and delay justice.”

Academic influence emerged as another front in this information war. Iryna Mirochnik, board member of Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, warned that prestigious Western universities continue to propagate Russian imperial narratives. “Ukrainian writers and cultural figures are still misattributed to ‘Russian culture,’ Ukraine’s independent history is minimized, and concepts such as ‘Kyivan Rus’ are incorrectly conflated with modern Russia,” she explained.

The forum also examined how cultural products—from music to video games—serve as vectors for propaganda. Anna Vyshniakova, Head of the LingvaLexa initiative, presented research documenting propaganda embedded in children’s computer games and music that normalizes violence and militarism.

A distinctive feature of the conference was its cross-sectoral approach, reflecting how modern hybrid threats operate across political, cultural, economic, and social domains simultaneously. Participants included representatives from security institutions, academia, cultural sectors, diaspora organizations, and business associations.

The gathering underscored that as Europe faces heightened geopolitical uncertainty and intensified foreign interference, democratic resilience must be proactive and strategic. “Ukraine’s experience demonstrates that resilience is not an abstract concept—it is a set of skills, institutions, and decisions that can be shared,” noted Kopanytsia. “Europe’s security depends on how quickly these lessons are institutionalized.”

Key outcomes included increased awareness of Russian propaganda adaptation techniques, stronger recognition of culture as a front-line instrument for democratic defense, and the establishment of new expert partnerships for continued collaboration and policy advocacy.