Ukraine has leveraged information operations to persuade 17,000 Russian soldiers to desert the battlefield without direct combat, according to Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, the head of US Army Special Operations Command. Since the start of Russia’s offensive against Ukraine, the Russian military has faced severe casualties and lost significant ground. Ukrainian information campaigns have taken advantage of rapid communication advances and social media platforms, targeting individual Russian troops to diminish their morale and combat effectiveness.
  

Key Points: 

1. Russia launched its large-scale offensive against Ukraine 20 months ago, resulting in substantial losses in troops, ground, and equipment.
2. Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga emphasized that Ukraine’s information campaigns have directly contributed to 17,000 Russian soldiers deserting their posts.
3. Ukraine has utilized modern communications and social media platforms to undermine the morale of individual Russian troops effectively.
4. The Russian government has resorted to extreme measures to counteract low morale, including executing soldiers who retreat or disobey orders.
5. The US military acknowledges the power of information operations and invests in them, recognizing their potential impact in warfare against near-peer adversaries like China or Russia.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-information-operations-help-drive-russian-military-desertions-2023-11