The Kremlin’s Cognitive Assault on Europe

Curator note

This article examines Russia’s use of cognitive warfare to target Europe’s populace to disrupt Western aid to Ukraine. Using the “firehose of falsehood” model, Moscow disseminates high-volume, multi-source disinformation aimed at injecting pro-Russian talking points into democratic discourse, which influences selectorates to resist continued Ukrainian support. A case study of Rheinmetall’s cancelled factory in Grossenhain, Germany illustrates how these Russian talking points produce tangible strategic effects. The article concludes by assessing the challenges of defending open societies against such cognitive attacks while preserving democratic norms.