Butusov Predicts Another Wave of Smear Campaigns Against Drapato

Large-scale disinformation campaigns, such as the one launched on July 26 against the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapaty , will continue in Ukraine. Yuriy Butusov .

, editor-in-chief of Censor.NET and a servicemember of the 2nd Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine "Charter" , spoke this in a on the YouTube channel LIGA.net at

Commenting on the spread of fake posts online purportedly on behalf of Drapato and the creation of fake pages in his name, Butusov noted that it is very easy to stir up a wave of misinformation these days. Similar disinformation campaigns occur "daily and in droves." They are disguised to fit real-world contexts and people’s genuine expectations, thereby provoking public attention.

"People were fed the information they want to hear—messages and words that might have been said under different circumstances. I think this is actually far from the worst kind of disinformation circulating in the information space that resonates with people. But yes, it’s possible, and it will continue. The cost of this disinformation campaign is $10,000–$20,000," Butusov told.

Mykhailo Drapatiy has come under intense public scrutiny following his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The general’s public statements are being closely followed not only in Ukraine but also in the West. Therefore, Russia may resort to information attacks against the new Commander-in-Chief.