Intensified Multi-faceted Information Warfare to Undermine Ukrainian Resolve and Western Support, with Increased Focus on US Political Figures, Diplomatic Divides, Extreme Nationalist Narratives, and Exploitation of International Crises, while managing internal dissent and enhancing digital control, now explicitly including GRU-led influence operations, discrediting UAF mobilization, a formal withdrawal from international legal frameworks, and maximalist territorial claims (HIGH CONFIDENCE): RF will aggressively exploit diplomatic friction (Poland/Starlink, Hungary/Druzhba, Trump's statements, etc.) and perceived Western political figures' statements, alleged Ukrainian corruption, and internal Ukrainian societal challenges (youth travel debate, increased attempts to flee to Belarus, reported agent spying on TCCs, former police officer detained in Uzhhorod for TCC reasons, the injured Ukrainian soldier's lament on the front line, illegal border crossing facilitators, torture allegations). RF will also extensively leverage statements from Western political figures (e.g., Donald Trump on nuclear arms reduction, US UAV experience, North Korea, DoD renaming, China, Afghanistan withdrawal, and US investment in private companies, and the proposed renaming of the Department of Defense to "Department of War," and Trump's recent warning to Russia, and Trump's perceived favoritism towards Aliyev, and US-Russia energy talks, South Korean President's fear of "Zelensky moment") to create narratives of Western disunity, question the nature of the conflict, and portray RF as a peace-seeking actor, while simultaneously employing dehumanizing propaganda, including explicit rhetoric justifying torture and claims of Ukraine being a "PMC." RF will tighten internal control over information, education, and digital platforms (e.g., national messengers, unified teacher pay, electronic signatures via "Max" including "Операция Z" channels, maternity capital proposals, social contribution limits, and addressing the cost of school preparation, new hunting license rules, and "Day of Knowledge" holiday proposal, now the potential for escalator/travelator shutdowns, film ban promoting anti-childbirth, SIM card camera installation, new benefits for pregnant students, urban beach development, usefulness of school subjects, homework changes, lonely elderly care, Moscow Metro expansion plans, escort services being officially equated to prostitution, Bastrykin's term extension, regional development programs) and promote narratives of its own military successes (e.g., captured M113, FPV drone effectiveness via Colonelcassad video compilation, new FPV drone video showing precise strike into vehicle, Воин DV video on Vremivka direction, Colonelcassad video on Vovcha River, claimed capture of Ukrainian combatants, glorification of Su-34 pilots, Mi-28NM operations, and drone strikes against UAF assets in Sumy direction, advances in Kharkiv Oblast, and the destruction of a UAF UAV command post in South Donetsk, and the claimed destruction of a UAF mortar position/UAF C2 in Konstantynivka direction, RF pushing UAF from Kreminni Les, UAV destruction of manpower on Vremivka, combined strikes on Ukrainian energy and military objects, claimed UAF losses in Serebryansky forest, special forces engagements, RF reports of artillery strikes and drone destruction of UAF assets), humanitarian efforts (civilian evacuation narratives), and global influence, while deflecting internal discontent regarding resource shortages and corruption (drone procurement complaints, soldier complaints about outdated weapons). Expect fabricated narratives (e.g., North Korean volunteers) to continue to be used to project international support. RF will continue to manage public anxiety over deep strikes by rapidly reporting UAV shoot-downs (Volgograd, Leningrad, Rostov, Crimea, Nizhny Novgorod) while justifying internal security measures (airport restrictions, IT service limitations, journalist Anna Mongait on wanted list) as necessary responses to UAF aggression.
- Indicators: Immediate and widespread amplification of Polish-Ukrainian diplomatic issues and Hungarian statements, extensive coverage and selective quoting of Donald Trump's statements by RF media, continued focus on "humanitarian" actions, promotion of RF internal stability, opportunistic leveraging of Western political discourse, and increased use of dehumanizing rhetoric, potentially including explicit calls for violence against Ukrainians and claims of Ukraine's lack of statehood. Continued narratives of US/Europe "blaming Ukraine" for sabotages. Continued highlighting of internal Ukrainian security failures. Increased use of domestic civilian events for IO. Amplification of discriminatory internal policies and further suppression of independent educational/informational platforms. RF-aligned IO attempting to build non-Western solidarity. Careful framing of domestic economic issues, possibly blaming external factors. Framing of app removal as Western economic warfare. Minimal or vague reporting on industrial accidents (Novoshakhtinsk, Ust-Luga). Continued denunciations of Council of Europe conventions. Promotion and mandatory installation of national digital services. Increased content discrediting Western think tanks. Exploitation of the aerial phenomenon for propaganda. Rapid, widespread reporting of drone interceptions over RF, including Volgograd (with now lifted restrictions), Leningrad Oblast, Rostov Oblast, Crimea, and Nizhny Novgorod. Amplification of global geopolitical tensions in RF media. Amplification of proposed social welfare and strategic workforce policies. Increased activity on the GRU-linked IO platforms. Explicit narratives on UAF TCC abuses. Amplification of RF cultural/diplomatic engagements to counter isolation narrative. Amplification of Gaza conflict, anti-Western narratives, and reports on legal action against foreign fighters. Formal announcement and justification of withdrawal from the European Convention on Torture. Rapid and widespread reporting on Mi-28NM operations and drone strikes in the Sumy direction. Amplification of Duma Deputy Sheremet's maximalist statements. Promulgation and justification of new laws restricting IT services. Continued regional police reports on cybercrime/fraud. Continued reports on US-RF space cooperation talks. Internal IO on rapper debt collection, hunting license rules, DOSAAF arrests, and "Day of Knowledge" holiday proposal. Amplification of claimed advances in Kharkiv Oblast (Staritsa) and Kupiansk. Reports of RF casualties from UAF strikes (e.g., damage to Crimea railway, Ust-Luga plant). Amplification of Russia-China diplomatic engagement. Promotion of "SVO: Uninvented Stories 2" project. Continued reporting on humanitarian challenges in occupied territories. Amplification of RF advancing in Kreminni Les, UAF losing Serebryansky forest, and successful UAV operations on Vremivka. Amplification of film ban promoting anti-childbirth and SIM card camera installation. Continued reporting of strikes on Ukrainian energy/military objects. Amplification of positive reports on WEF-2025 participation and Steve Wozniak's involvement. Reports on internal arrests/detentions (Krysevich, Syktyvkar student, Kuvshinov, teenagers, Kursk Oblast deputy governor, Alexei Gorinov). Amplification of Trump's warning to Russia. Continued domestic IO distractions (e.g., "Dog Gratitude Day," urban beaches, school subjects, handbag promotions, porcupine sightings, crocodile head at customs). Explicit narratives of a "protracted war" and "creative crisis" for EU sanctions. Amplified narrative of "mass escape" to Belarus. Amplified narratives of North Korean involvement and RF liberation of Kursk. Amplified IO related to Yuriy Kolokolnikov and Ukraine's threat list. Amplified Moscow Metro expansion plans. Amplified social welfare content (lonely elderly). Continued "Soldier's everyday life" content (cat). Amplified SBU terrorism claims. Amplification of the Kasparov drone video as a "prophecy." Active and rapid refutation of Polish statements regarding Starlink availability to Ukraine. Amplification of North Korean volunteer claims. Amplification of Norway SSO involvement. Spin on new EU sanctions. Amplification of US biolabs in Armenia narrative. Amplification of Chinese military strength relative to the US.
- NEW INDICATORS: Alex Parker Returns (RF-aligned) video depicting a high-ranking official (possibly Shoigu) considering suicide. This could be used for IO to emphasize high stakes or internal pressure within RF leadership. Fighterbomber (RF-aligned) photo and caption about receiving a flag reinforces nationalistic IO. TASS (RF) reporting on escalator restrictions could be leveraged for IO about economic impacts or resilience. TASS (RF) reporting on Sergey Irin's treason conviction is a strong IO message about internal security and loyalty. Операция Z (RF-aligned) via Военкоры Русской Весны amplifying Hungarian FM's "state terrorism" comments is a direct IO effort to blame Western actors. Colonelcassad (RF-aligned) amplifying German opposition dissatisfaction is an IO effort to sow discord in the West. TASS (RF) reporting on Trump-Modi calls indicates IO to highlight perceived US diplomatic difficulties. Новости Москвы (RF) SMS-targeting ad could be leveraged for IO on RF technological prowess. TASS (RF) video of Putin-Saldo meeting is strong IO to legitimize control over occupied territories. Janus Putkonen (RF-aligned) questioning Finland's happiness is social discontent IO. TASS (RF) reporting on "outdated NATO UAVs" is direct IO to undermine Western military aid. STERNENKO (UAF-aligned) reporting on RF attack on Shostka civilian infrastructure is likely to be met with RF denial or counter-narratives. РБК-Україна (UAF) reporting on the 19th EU sanctions package may be met with RF IO downplaying its impact. ТАСС (RF) message about "Reputation of numbers in Max messenger" suggests IO related to internal digital security and trustworthiness. Рыбарь (RF-aligned) photo message with "East paves the way to the west" on a situation map. Alex Parker Returns (RF-aligned) photo message "Cyberpunk we deserved. May good prevail!". Операция Z (RF-aligned) message dehumanizing UAF morgue staff. АРХАНГЕЛ СПЕЦНАЗА (RF-aligned) photo message for military recruitment. Новости Москвы (RF) video message on a Muscovite having lunch with animals. ТАСС (RF) Photo message "Трансмашхолдинг" представил дизайн первого водородного поезда. Операция Z (RF-aligned) Reports Czechia demanding Schengen closure for Russian diplomats. Поддубный |Z|О|V| edition (RF-aligned) Promotes Max messenger as part of RF's digital system. Поддубный |Z|О|V| edition (RF-aligned) Reports Hungary may stop electricity supplies to Ukraine, blaming Zelensky. Рыбарь (RF-aligned) Post about "desecration of one of the main shrines of the Orthodox world." Воин DV (RF-aligned) Reports Orban still dissatisfied with Zelensky. Басурин о главном (RF-aligned) Shares cards about commanders of the "Sparta" reconnaissance battalion. WarGonzo (RF-aligned) Reports on China's FK-3000 anti-drone system. ТАСС (RF) Video message ▶️ Shaman может войти в пятерку финалистов в конкурсе "Интервидение", заявил в интервью ТАСС Игорь Матвиенко, supporting normalization and distraction. Kotsnews (RF-aligned) Video message «Чтобы люди могли гордиться и своей большой страной, и своей своей малой родиной», promoting nationalism and regional identity. Kadyrov_95 reports high-ranking Chechen officials visiting Mariupol. This is an IO effort to show strong leadership and military support. БУТУСОВ ПЛЮС reports a woman claiming her husband was tortured, this will be denied or spun by RF.
Limited Reconnaissance and Probing Attacks in Kherson, Preparing for Future Operations (MEDIUM CONFIDENCE): The newly deployed 49th CAA units in Kherson will conduct limited reconnaissance-in-force and probing attacks along the Dnipro, aiming to test UAF defenses, identify weaknesses, and gather intelligence. These actions will be aimed at preparing the ground for potential future offensive or defensive operations, rather than immediate large-scale assaults. RF FPV drones will continue to be heavily utilized for interdiction on key UAF routes in the area, specifically the Kherson-Mykolaiv highway. RF attacks on the M-14 Kherson-Mykolaiv highway will continue.
- Indicators: Increased skirmishes and small-unit engagements along the Dnipro line. Enhanced RF ISR activity (UAVs, ground patrols). Continued and potentially increased RF FPV drone attacks on UAF vehicles and logistical movements in the Kherson sector, particularly on the M-14 Kherson-Mykolaiv highway. No significant RF cross-river attempts within this timeframe.
- NEW INDICATORS: TASS (RF) video message showing Putin meeting with Saldo, discussing socio-economic development programs for the Kherson region. This is a clear indicator of RF's intent to consolidate and invest in Kherson, which supports long-term planning for the region, including potential future military operations.