A desinformação como ferramenta da guerra híbrida

Abstract

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine in 2014 highlighted the Hybrid Warfare concept. From the formulation of the initial definitions to the present day, this concept has undergone several interpretations and has evolved, following the changes observed in every new conflict. In view of all the repercussions that Hybrid Warfare has generated and the possibility of its use within our strategic environment, we feel the need to improve the knowledge on the subject, in order to orient the adoption of measures in the political and strategic levels. The objective of this research is to investigate the use of disinformation as Hybrid Warfare tool and to identify measures that may be part of a strategy to combat disinformation within this context. For this, we investigated the concept of Hybrid Warfare, its main characteristics and instruments, particularly disinformation. Next, we describe the MCDC(CHW) Project countering Hybrid Warfare framework and draw a parallel with the strategy adopted in 2016 by the European Union. Then, using the support of the European Union strategy to counter disinformation and the European Values Center for Security Policy proposed counter-measures, we established a set of goals and measures that could be adopted in the elaboration of a national strategy. Finally, we analyzed the effectiveness of the proposed measures in the light of the actions carried out by Russia in its disinformation campaign against Ukraine in 2014. We conclude that disinformation proved to be a powerful tool of the Hybrid Warfare to shape the perception of the internal and external public and to control the narrative of facts during the Russian conflict against Ukraine in 2014. The research also indicated that the proposed objectives and actions can serve as a basis for the development of a national strategy to counter disinformation