Countering Russian disinformation and hybrid warfare

CSS and NZIIA (Wellington) co-hosted a panel on Russian disinformation campaigns, lessons learned for countering them and broad implications.

17 March 2026

Ukraine has been subjected to the full spectrum of Russian hybrid tactics—coordinated information operations, cyber activity, psychological warfare, political subversion, economic pressure, and the integration of these tools with conventional military force. This experience has generated hard-won, practical insights that are directly relevant to modern defence planning, resilience, and strategic communications. Many of the same Russian tactics have been directed against Ukraine’s neighbours such as Poland. The panel discussed Russian disinformation campaigns and lessons learned for countering them, as well as implications for the Indo-Pacific region.

Natalia Solieva is the former press secretary for the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, D.C. (2017-2022) and an expert on Russian disinformation operations. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and is an alumna of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (2016).

Vasyl Myroshnychenko is the Ambassador of Ukraine to New Zealand and Australia. Prior to joining the Foreign Ministry, the Ambassador was a founder and partner at CFC Consulting, advising companies on corporate and investor relations as well as business and governmental interaction. He graduated from the Institute of International Relations at the Taras Shevchenko National University, as well as studying at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and at Lehigh University in the United States.

Patryk Błaszczak is the Ambassador of Poland to New Zealand, a career diplomat and a member of the Polish Foreign Service since 2008. He worked in numerous managerial positions at Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including as Deputy Director of the European Policy Department responsible for Central and South-Eastern Europe, and as National Visegrad Cooperation Coordinator.

Chair: Professor David Capie, Director, Centre for Strategic Studies

Natalia Solieva, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Patryk Błaszczak, David Capie (Left to right)

Watch the full discussion below.