ALGORITHMIC HYBRID WARFARE: AI-DRIVEN DISINFORMATION IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR

Muhammad Noman; Mahnoor Azhar; Zeeshan Fida

doi:10.54690/margallapapers.30.1.372

Authors

Muhammad Noman An Independent Research Analyst based in Islamabad
Mahnoor Azhar Research Scholar at the Department of International Relations, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi
Zeeshan Fida Lecturer at the Department of International Relations, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54690/margallapapers.30.1.372

Keywords:

Artificial Intelligence, Disinformation, Hybrid Warfare, Psychological Operations, Perception, Narrative

Abstract

In the contemporary era, the weaponisation of digital platforms for perception and narrative control is becoming a crucial element in the emerging fifth-generation warfare. This paper examines the AI-driven disinformation campaigns during the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war to analyse the impact of modern technologies on armed conflicts. Through a qualitative comparative case study research design, this paper comparatively analyses the asymmetry and reach of Russia and Ukraine’s AI-based information operations. The central focus of the research is to understand the extensive use of AI by Russia and Ukraine and its effectiveness in disseminating false narratives and shaping global perception. The research revealed that Russian information operations leveraged advanced technology and possess a broader international reach, whereas the Western-supported Ukrainian countermeasures are more defensive and domestic in nature. The findings suggest that AI is reinventing contemporary warfare while emphasising the decisive role of narrative framing in shaping future conflict outcomes.