On February 14, 2026, the Ukrainian Free University, in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, the Thomas Dehler Foundation, and Amerikahaus München, hosted a pivotal side event during the Munich Security Conference.
The panel, titled “European Information Integrity: Lessons from the War in Ukraine for EU Security,” brought together frontline defenders, European policymakers, and tech experts to dissect a chilling reality: the primary battlefield of modern warfare is no longer just physical territory – it is the human psyche.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬
The discussion moved beyond standard talk of “fake news,” offering a deep dive into the mechanics of hybrid warfare and the urgent need for a more courageous European response.
❗The “Gerasimov” Reality: Dr. Yevgeniya Gaber reminded the audience that in Russian military doctrine, the information domain is the lead domain. It is about reflexive control – shaping the strategic environment so that the adversary voluntarily makes self-defeating decisions.
❗Resilience Over Comfort: Professor of UFU,
Dr. Halyna Mykhailiuk, representing the Ukrainian Parliament, shared a sobering perspective from Kyiv. While Europe often discusses security in theoretical 10-year cycles, Ukraine innovates daily to survive. She challenged the “bourgeois comfort” of the West, noting that democratic resilience requires a willingness to prioritize security over convenience.
❗The Weaponization of Platforms: Expert Professor Marietje Schaake and MEP Dr. Helmut Brandstätter highlighted the “unholy alliance” between profit-driven tech algorithms and autocratic propaganda. They argued that transparency – knowing how we are being manipulated – is a security imperative, not just a regulatory hurdle.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐲𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭
The panel underscored the scale of the challenge with staggering data points regarding the intensification of Russian hybrid operations:
𝑺𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑬𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
Malign actions in Europe (arson, cyberattacks, drone incursions) increased 5-6x since 2023.
𝑲𝒚𝒊𝒗 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆
Despite massive energy grid attacks, Kyiv maintains a population of 4.5 million through shared resource management.
𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
Ukraine has successfully neutralized 1/3 of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet and 1/3 of their strategic bombers via unconventional means.
𝑺𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕
In Ukraine, trust in verified governmental information remains the primary shield against anonymous “troll” channels on platforms like Telegram.
“We are not good enough at telling our stories because they are sad stories. But we must explain that this is not just a war between two countries; it is an attack on the very idea of a free society.” – Dr. Helmut Brandstätter, MEP
𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
The event concluded with a powerful message: Resilience is a choice. Ukraine’s experience proves that even under the most extreme pressure, a society can remain united if it possesses critical thinking, a sense of humor, and the courage to set the agenda rather than merely reacting to the adversary.
Professor Larysa Didkovska, Rector of the Ukrainian Free University expressed her deep gratitude to the panelists for their profound insights and to the guests for their unwavering solidarity. Emphasizing the university’s mission as an intellectual bridge between Ukraine and the West, Professor Didkovska presented the speakers with commemorative gifts as a token of appreciation for their dedication to defending democratic values. This final gesture highlighted the enduring spirit of the UFU – a community where academic tradition serves as a foundation for the unyielding pursuit of freedom.
The Ukrainian Free University remains a vital bridge in this intellectual and security struggle, transforming 105 years of academic tradition into a modern fortress for European freedom.
📝 Dr. Liliia Bondarenko
📸 Denys Dolzhenko
