Mil-channels as a tool of information warfare in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict

Abstract

Mil-channels established on social media are another digital extension of the information warfare arsenal. They differ from mil-blogs in that they report on the activities of a specific unit within the armed forces. Content published on them has the potential to reach multiple audiences simultaneously worldwide. Therefore, they are used by Russia and Ukraine to morally legitimize their actions and stigmatize the enemy's war efforts. The features offered by platforms such as Telegram and YouTube are attractive from the perspective of the information warfare needs of both sides of the conflict in Eastern Europe. Since 2022, the beginnings of numerous mil-channels established by Russia and Ukraine to gain an advantage in information warfare have been observed. The purpose of this article is to detail, characterize, and define the role of Ukrainian and Russian mil-channels in the information warfare waged by these countries. The research questions included identifying how Russia and Ukraine use mil-channels for information warfare, as well as identifying the content and narratives contained within them. The hypotheses assumed that mil-channels are an important tool in information warfare, through which offensive and defensive actions are implemented. The content displayed characteristics of propaganda, and the narratives tended to present one's own efforts as justified and righteous against the adversary's criminal and unfair ones. To achieve the article's objectives, a review of Russian and Ukrainian mil-channels on Telegram and YouTube was conducted, and expert literature from various scientific fields was analyzed and interpreted. The article demonstrated that mil-channels are used to highlight internal problems within the enemy army, to propagandize, and to dehumanize the enemy. As part of defensive actions, mil-channels use their content to boost public morale, promote patriotic attitudes, and promote a given country's efforts in war.