NATO-Ukraine Center to Host Training Against Russian Information Ops

What Happened

The NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Preparation and Education Centre (JATEC) is scheduled to conduct a seminar next week to counter Russian information and psychological operations. This initiative is a collaboration with the Centre for Experimentation in Information Operations (MNIOE).

The focus of the seminar is to test innovative technologies and methodologies designed for training strategic communicators. This includes professionals who specialize in strategic communications and information operations.

Key Details

The training utilizes a digital game titled "Cohesion," developed by MNIOE, which simulates interagency strategic communications in modern multi-domain environments. Participants will assume roles as members of either the Blue team, Red team, or a neutral audience represented by the Green team.

According to JATEC, the game is structured as a competition for cognitive dominance. The Red and Blue teams will aim to influence and shape the perceptions of the Green audience. After the exercise, there will be a scoring and evaluation phase to determine which team influenced the audience perception more effectively.

The seminar will also incorporate the expertise of Ukrainian specialists to assess and disseminate experiences in countering Russian psychological and information operations, which are viewed as a significant threat to NATO’s information environment and societal resilience.

Why It Matters

Training sessions like the one at JATEC are crucial for enhancing Ukraine's defense capabilities. They foster collaboration between NATO and Ukraine, promoting interoperability and strengthening strategic communications against disinformation tactics. The emphasis on simulation and experiential learning aligns with modern warfare strategies, where information supremacy is essential in combat scenarios.

Background

Established in February 2025 at the Washington NATO summit, the Joint Analysis, Preparation and Education Centre (JATEC) serves as a unique institutional collaboration between NATO and Ukraine. It aims to improve Ukraine's defense capacities and its compatibility with NATO systems.

This is particularly relevant given the ongoing challenges posed by Russian information warfare strategies. The need for adaptive strategies in communications reflects an acknowledgment of the evolving nature of warfare and the critical role information plays in contemporary conflicts.

By implementing innovative training methods, JATEC continues to support Ukraine's efforts to bolster its resilience against misinformation.