Russia's information warfare targets 'Steadfast Defender 2024' in bid to undermine NATO

In the coming week, NATO is preparing to conduct its most extensive military exercises in several decades. About 90,000 soldiers are involved in these exercises, dubbed 'Steadfast Defender 2024', which are set to continue until May. These are a direct reaction to Russia's aggressive behavior in Ukraine and threats levied by Moscow towards NATO member countries.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement as early as September last year. It claimed that NATO maneuvers were becoming increasingly provocative and aggressive. The Russian ministry asserts that NATO persists in showcasing its power at Russia's doorstep, which is viewed as a direct threat to the country's security.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also claims that Moscow consistently proposes "de-escalation" plans to NATO, and repositions its military exercises away from the borders, towards the interior. According to the Russian perspective, NATO uses its exercises to stoke tensions and prompt Baltic states to prepare for war against Russia. Russia labels these exercises as a "series of provocations".

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggests that the Russian information operation defers attention from the Kremlin's belligerent rhetoric towards the North Atlantic Alliance. Russian officials, such as President Vladimir Putin, have recently threatened both Finland and NATO. Putin has labeled the West as Russia's "enemy" and implied that Russia is engaged in the conflict in Ukraine to defeat the West.

"ISW remains of the view that Putin instigated an attack on Ukraine in 2022, not to safeguard Russia from an imaginary threat from NATO, but to undercut and eventually dismantle NATO - this objective still guides him" - a portion of the ISW report is quoted by the Polish Press Agency (PAP). The ISW report suggests that Putin is motivated by a desire to destabilize NATO and diminish its standing globally.

Source: Polish Press Agency (PAP)