ABSTRACT
“Foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI)” is a mostly non-illegal pattern of behaviour that threatens or has the potential to negatively impact values, procedures, and political processes. Destructive information activities of the Russian Federation (RF) in Ukraine and the rest of the world are an illustrative case of such behaviour. On the eve of Russia's intervention in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the RF conducted a powerful special FIMI operation to promote an image of an extremely strong and invincible army. We claim that the goal of FIMI was to intimidate the Ukrainian political elite as well as ordinary citizens, so any desire to fight is perceived as practically “suicidal”. The ultimate goal would be to induce the state leadership and the President to shift decisions in favour of the RF. Since Ukrainians give great preference to various Telegram channels as a quick source of “insider” information, this chapter scrutinises key messages about the RF army published in the state-owned Russian agency (RIA Novosti), as well as several pro-Ukrainian and Ukrainian pro-Russian Telegram channels. The authors aim to prove that FIMI operation. The chapter contributes to further understanding of foreign information manipulation and interference as a growing political problem and a challenge to states’ national security.
