Tweeting Out Surveys to Pro-Ukraine Influencers: Exploring the Potential for Enlisting Support in the Information Fight Against Russia
This RAND report builds on 2018 network analysis that mapped two large, influential Russian-language Twitter communities in Eastern Europe—pro-Ukraine activists opposing Russian influence and pro-Russia activists disseminating Kremlin-aligned content—by surveying 146 pro-Ukraine activists, 66 pro-Russia activists, and 1,103 general Russian-language Twitter users from Ukraine recruited through targeted ads. Pro-Ukraine activists broadly support the U.S. and EU and oppose Russian influence, and large shares report already using Twitter, other platforms, and offline channels (conversations with family and friends, and to a lesser extent advocacy groups) to push back. At least half said they were open to additional social media training and to support from the U.S., EU, or Ukraine, though stated willingness doesn't guarantee participation. The authors recommend a brand ambassador model—building trust with influential activists, connecting them with training and content, and helping them coordinate around unified democratic Ukraine messaging, awareness of specific Russian influence campaigns, media literacy material, and bot and troll identification.