Through the Minefield of Russian Propaganda: Media Center Presents Guide to Countering Russian Disinformation 

March 18 the Media Center Ukraine presented the book *White Paper. Through the Minefield of Russian Propaganda”—an analytical guide developed by the Media Center Ukraine that systematizes Ukraine’s experience in countering Russian disinformation.

The research book is based on the practical experience of Media Center Ukraine representatives and their observations of Russian propaganda and the mechanisms of its dissemination. The book was authored by Alina Frolova, Olga Atamanova, Vasyl Samokhvalov, Yevheniia Herasymchuk, and Yulia Ukhin, with contributions from analyst Yevhen Bulavka, literary editor Otar Dovzhenko, proofreader Kateryna Rozkladai, and designer Ihor Dunets. 

The book was published with financial support from the European Union. 

Alina Frolova, co-founder of Media Center Ukraine and deputy chair of the board at the Center for Defense Strategies, noted that Media Center Ukraine was created in response to the lack of information at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, and later evolved into a project that helped combat Russian propaganda. 

“The idea for the book arose when we were preparing useful projects for foreign missions and media outlets operating in Ukraine. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how Russia operates on the information front, how Ukraine responds to these challenges, and what contribution everyone can make to the information war,” said Alina Frolova. 

“The White Paper: Through the Minefield of Russian Propaganda” provides a comprehensive retrospective, from the moment Russia began preparing the information landscape prior to the war, to the key tenets of its propaganda regarding Ukraine and the entire democratic world. 

The book was published simultaneously in two languages—Ukrainian and English. English-language copies are available in print and are already being distributed by diplomatic missions. 

Otar Dovzhenko, a Ukrainian journalist and media critic who edited the book, noted that recent research by the Lviv Media Forum has shown that European partners do not always understand how Russian propaganda works. According to him, the book is well-structured and coherent, allowing readers to trace the origins of Russian propaganda narratives. 

“There is an illusion that Russian propaganda is Russia’s response to the color revolutions or some other actions by Ukraine. In reality, this book shows that Russian propaganda is a toxic field that has existed since the very inception of Russia as a state,” the editor emphasized. 

Ihor Solovei, head of the Center for Strategic Communications noted that “Russia has institutionalized disinformation” and devotes an incredible amount of effort and resources to it. Therefore, the civilized world should now employ not only a shield against disinformation, but also a sword. 

The “White Paper…” can be downloaded via the link; the guide is available: 

in English – https://mediacenter.org.ua/white-book/ 

in Ukrainian – https://mediacenter.org.ua/uk/bila-knyha/ 

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news