Cyber Weapons and Disinformation: How Russia’s Hybrid Warfare Shaped the Notion of «Novorossiya» in Europe

Abstract

This article analyzes the information and communication instruments employed by the Russian Federation as part of its hybrid warfare strategy to shape the notion of “Novorossiya” within the European information space during the period 2014–2021. The study aims to identify the mechanisms of cyber weapons and disinformation used to legitimize pseudo-historical narratives, assess their impact on public opinion in Europe, and examine the response systems developed by Ukraine and the European community. A multidisciplinary approach is applied, combining methods of critical discourse analysis, content analysis of English-language Russian media outlets (RT, Sputnik, TASS), and examination of open sources, including platforms such as EUvsDisinfo, NBC News, The Atlantic, and academic publications. Particular attention is paid to visual and semantic elements used to construct the image of “Novorossiya” as a historically justified geopolitical project.
         It is established that Russian media abroad actively disseminated narratives portraying “Novorossiya” as a “restoration of historical justice,” utilizing symbolic imagery, pseudo-historical quotations, and elements of cultural identity. Cyber weapons, including bot networks, fake accounts, and algorithmic content promotion, facilitated the large-scale spread of disinformation. Reactions across different countries varied, ranging from critical rejection to partial reception of these narratives within fringe political circles. The Russian information campaign was aimed not only at legitimizing separatism but also at undermining trust in European institutions and the norms of international law. Simultaneously, the academic community intensified its efforts to counter these narratives analytically and reveal the factual substance of events. The findings of this study are particularly relevant in the context of the ongoing escalation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, where the hybrid format continues to evolve with new instruments and narratives.
         Thus, Russia’s hybrid war against Ukraine since 2014 has involved the systematic use of cyber weapons and disinformation as tools of influence over international audiences. The concept of “Novorossiya” was constructed as part of a broader strategy of information offensive, combining historical mystification, geopolitical manipulation, and technological expansion. The European response to these challenges requires enhanced digital resilience, critical media literacy, and intergovernmental coordination in the field of cybersecurity. At the same time, scholarly historical research plays a vital role in deconstructing pseudo-historical narratives, uncovering the mechanisms of their formation and dissemination, and providing an evidence-based foundation for public communication and educational initiatives. In this context, cooperation between Ukrainian and European academic institutions is essential for strengthening humanitarian security and countering information attacks rooted in the manipulation of historical memory.