What's happened
Russia is intensifying its disinformation campaign on TikTok, questioning the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Zelensky's presidency through viral videos. The campaign focuses on the date of May 20, when Zelensky's first term would have ended if not for martial law. Russia's use of TikTok is part of its broader information war strategy against Ukraine.
Why it matters
Russia's expanding disinformation campaign on TikTok poses a significant threat to the credibility of Ukraine's leadership and the spread of misinformation. The use of social media platforms like TikTok to manipulate public opinion highlights the evolving tactics in modern warfare and the need for increased vigilance against digital propaganda.
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, Russia is leveraging TikTok to question Zelensky's legitimacy, with a senior official warning about the scale of Russia's operation on the platform. ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, has increased safety measures in Ukraine. The Bloomberg article highlights concerns from Ukraine over data security and misinformation on TikTok, amid pressure from the US and EU.
How we got here
Since the start of the war, Russia has been using various platforms, including TikTok, to spread false information and sow discord. The disinformation campaign aims to undermine the legitimacy of Ukraine's government and manipulate public perception. Russia's tactics on TikTok are part of a broader strategy to control the narrative and influence global opinion on the conflict.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.