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Abstract: In recent years, cyberspace has been shaped by a rapid and transformative technological evolution, which ushered in an era characterised by unparalleled connectivity and innovation. However, this remarkable progress has brought a concerning surge in cyberattacks that have fundamentally altered cyberspace dynamics and refined the nature of contemporary warfare. This refinement was vividly illustrated in the recent Russia-Ukraine conflict, where cyberspace played a pivotal role, blurring the traditional boundaries of conflict in the cyber age. As a result, this study used secondary data to examine how various social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and Telegram were used as a strategic advantage during the conflict. The findings disclosed that Russia employed offensive propaganda against Ukraine, while Ukraine adopted a defensive stance, effectively countering the narrative through an active online presence. Moreover, this study underscored the substantial role of social media in warfare and its continued significance in future conflicts. Furthermore, this study provided recommendations for nations to better prepare for such conflicts. The recommendations provide valuable insights to assist decision-makers and policymakers in enhancing cybersecurity awareness and practices within their respective countries.
Keywords: Cyberattacks, Cyberspace, Cybersecurity, Russia-Ukraine, Warfare, Social media
1. Introduction
Since the early 1990s, cyberwarfare has been recognized by its advocates as a groundbreaking military revolution and a highly effective tool in combat, but these was primarily theoretical until the recent UkraineRussia conflict where cyberspace was utilized during the conflict (Schulze and Kerttunen, 2023). Even so, several countries have already made notable progress in terms of preparedness, following the Warsaw Summit 2016, where the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) declared cyberspace as a battlefield, which lead to member countries establishing their respective cyber commands (Smeets, 2023). However, Russia has always demonstrated remarkable proficiency as a cyber power worldwide. Instances of their cyber activities trace back to Moonlight Maze attacks on the United States Department of Defence in the 1990s and suspected involvement in cyberattacks against various targets, including the Estonian government, media, and financial sectors in 2007, Georgian government sites in 2008, Kirgizstan Internet Service Provider attacks in 2009, and Ukrainian government, military, and critical infrastructure attacks in 2014 (Priyono, 2022).
The tensions between Russia and Ukraine have witnessed a significant escalation since 2014, notably characterised by the annexation of...