UWC President Calls for Countering Russian Propaganda with Truth

Russian propaganda campaigns have expanded far beyond Europe, now actively targeting North America and Global South nations, according to Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC). During a recent visit to Lviv, Grod highlighted the extensive reach of Russia’s disinformation efforts in an interview with Espreso TV.

“Russian propaganda is very active in Brazil, Argentina, and other countries. We have to fight it. It’s not easy, but Russia must feel defeat,” Grod emphasized, pointing to a coordinated effort by the Kremlin to shape global narratives about the ongoing conflict.

The UWC President identified truth as the Ukrainian diaspora’s most powerful weapon in combating Russian misinformation. He urged Ukrainians living abroad to actively engage in counternarratives by clearly identifying Russia as the aggressor and Ukraine as the victim, while documenting war crimes committed during the invasion.

“We call on every concerned Ukrainian to actively speak the truth, to explain the situation, who the aggressor is, who the victim is, and to highlight Russia’s war crimes, so that politicians and the public remember,” said Grod.

The battle for international public opinion has become increasingly crucial as the conflict continues into its third year. Russia has invested heavily in state-sponsored media outlets and social media campaigns targeting audiences across multiple continents, often exploiting existing political divisions in Western democracies while presenting alternative narratives to developing nations.

Experts in information warfare have noted that Russian propaganda typically blends truth with falsehoods, creating narratives that appear credible while advancing the Kremlin’s geopolitical objectives. These efforts have become more sophisticated since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

Grod stressed that the Ukrainian diaspora must maintain systematic outreach to both policymakers and the general public in their respective countries. “The world is truly on our side, and we will win. The key is that the truth must be heard,” he added.

The Ukrainian diaspora, estimated at approximately 20 million people worldwide, has become an important diplomatic and advocacy force since the war began. Ukrainian communities have organized demonstrations, humanitarian aid initiatives, and political lobbying efforts across North America, Europe, Australia, and increasingly in Latin America.

Grod’s December 11 visit to Lviv was part of an official trip focused on strengthening ties between the global Ukrainian community and institutions within Ukraine. His agenda included meetings with local officials, including Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi and Maksym Kozytskyi, head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration.

These discussions likely centered on coordinating humanitarian support, information sharing, and strategic communication between Ukraine and its global diaspora. Lviv, as Ukraine’s westernmost major city, has played a vital role as a humanitarian hub and relative safe haven compared to eastern regions directly affected by Russian military actions.

The Ukrainian World Congress, founded in 1967, represents Ukrainian communities in over 60 countries and has been instrumental in advocating for international support for Ukraine since the Russian invasion. The organization has worked to counter Russian propaganda through media engagement, direct advocacy with foreign governments, and public education campaigns.

As the information war continues alongside military operations, Ukrainian officials and diaspora leaders alike emphasize that maintaining international support requires constant vigilance against Russian disinformation. The battle for hearts and minds globally remains a crucial front in Ukraine’s broader struggle for sovereignty and territorial integrity.