On October 26, experts from our Association, Borys Babin and Anna Prykhodko, participated in a discussion regarding recommendations for the Action Plan to implement the new Ukrainian Information Security Strategy for 2026–2030. The event was organized by the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law with the support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
The draft Strategy was previously presented by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine and is currently undergoing further refinement by the Office of the Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.
The discussion aimed to develop specific recommendations aligned with the draft Action Plan’s strategic objective: the information reintegration of Ukraine’s de-occupied territories.
Participants addressed issues such as restoring trust in Ukrainian media, effectively countering Russian propaganda, reaching audiences, identifying those responsible for implementing communication policy in de-occupied territories, and training journalists.
Borys Babin shared the Association’s work regarding communication with occupied territories, including Crimea, as well as research on the information environment in these areas and the specific nature of the aggressor’s propaganda. He also presented expert insights on mechanisms for the initial phase of de-occupation and the specific information support required during that period.
Most speakers emphasized the fundamental need to distinguish between providing information support to the population in occupied territories and conducting information-related activities in de-occupied territories. They also highlighted the differences in the information environments across various occupied territories of Ukraine.
The current situation, characterized by the absence of both competent state bodies and qualified policy documents regarding the relevant de-occupation processes, was also noted to have a negative impact on these processes.
