Russian tactics in Maidan-3 infowars exploit Ukrainian POW relatives

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) shared the information in its recent report.

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine's Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, recently revealed that unidentified Russian individuals are contacting relatives of Ukrainian POWs, claiming that Russia is ready to release the prisoners but alleges that Ukrainian leadership is obstructing it.

Russian actors urge these relatives to protest against the Ukrainian government, despite Lubinets' assertion that Ukraine has continued its prisoner exchange efforts.

ISW suggests that these Russian calls for protests are likely part of the Maidan-3 campaign, aiming to foster internal discontent and create a divide between the civilian population and Ukraine's leadership, as previously highlighted by the Security Service of Ukraine.

The institute also reminds that Russia has previously used similar tactics, including direct communication with Ukrainian civilians via mobile phones, to incite violent protests.

• Ukrainian intelligence recently warned of potential mass protests in Ukraine orchestrated by Russia in the spring, aiming to destabilize the country internally and potentially exploit the situation to achieve military gains in the east.