An anonymous Telegram channel called "Secret Chancellery" continues to gain popularity in Ukraine's information space by publishing insider information and operational political leaks, ultimately posing a real threat to Ukraine's national security. This was stated by MP of the VRU Yuliia Yatsyk and political strategist Vitaliy Bala.
According to Yatsyk, Telegram is a technically convenient platform for waging information warfare: it is anonymous, difficult to control, and Russia takes advantage of this. Channels like "Secret Chancellery" exploit topics relevant to Ukrainian society and embed narratives favorable to the Kremlin.
"First of all, we understand that the owner of Telegram is Pavel Durov, who comes from Russia. Telegram is simply controlled from Russia. Secondly, it reaches people almost without identification, without linking to a phone number... It's pointless for our special services to track all this," she emphasized.
She noted that such channels often operate subtly and professionally, mixing facts with lies.
"Yes, this information contains 10% truth and 90% lies, but it is perceived as truth. Using this, they can shape thoughts and impose their own narratives," Yatsyk said.
The MP reminded that information warfare is an integral part of Russia's hybrid aggression against Ukraine.
"Russian propaganda has tried to shape Ukrainians' attitude toward the war with Russia, targeting conscious Ukrainians to justify, under various seemingly positive pretexts, why they invaded Ukraine."
Yatsyk pointed out that even years into the war, some in Ukrainian society remain loyal to Russia.
"In Ukraine, there are still 'waiters'—supporters of the Russian regime... Even in combat zones... such people exist, they remain, betray our positions, and highlight them for the occupiers in various Telegram channels," Yatsyk added.
She also stressed that such channels effectively exploit real mistakes and scandals in Ukrainian politics to discredit the state:
"Given that there are not just many but extremely many reasons to criticize Ukraine's government, the actions of the military, and the Territorial Recruitment Centers, they use these triggers to their advantage—and very effectively."
For his part, Bala noted that, from a professional standpoint, channels like "Secret Chancellery" use proven psychological manipulation techniques, blending truth with disinformation.
"It is absolutely logical that through this resource, they would push the messages they need, if we're talking about Russian propaganda," he stated.
Bala explained that the content of such channels is often based on open-source information but with manipulative twists.
"90% can be drawn from publicly available information, and then they add their own 10% spin to make it work against Ukraine," the expert explained.
He also added that in the absence of transparent and timely official information, Ukrainians start trusting sources like "Secret Chancellery."
"When people don't receive official information, they turn to this (messenger – ed.). That is, by hiding the truth, the authorities create room for speculation and manipulation, and this is exploited," he stated.
Bala expressed concern over the lack of a systemic approach by the state to counter disinformation.
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