From the point of view of the design of disinformation narratives, the most popular tactics of the Russians in the context of the ZNPP are discrediting and disarmament. Russia is systematically mirroring evidence-based accusations by Ukraine and international observers in its direction of systematic shelling of a nuclear energy facility, storage of weapons on its territory, and intentions to use the ZNPP as a tool of pressure.

Last year in the third month of Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine,  Civil Network OPORA decided to carry out a survey of Ukrainian media space.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine led to radical changes in the lives of Ukrainians. Some people took up arms and heroically defend our Motherland on the frontline, others joined the volunteer movement and provide the army with everything necessary. Some entrepreneurs are developing their business to support the long-suffering Ukrainian economy even in war-time. Living conditions have changed a lot in Ukraine: some people lost their property due to Russian shelling of peaceful cities, others lost their jobs, health, security, and the opportunity to provide their children with a good education. Some Ukrainians have spent their entire lives in the occupied territories.

Last week (August 7–13), the Russian ruble continued to devalue, entering the top of the weakest currencies in the world, and the number of the killed Russian soldiers reached 250,000 people. Russia also continued its attempts to dominate the Black Sea but the war keeps returning to the aggressor's territory, which has economic and political consequences for the Putin regime. Ukraine strengthens diplomatic work to implement its own peace plan and rejects the possibility of negotiations with Russia lest the troops from Ukrainian lands are withdrawn. At the same time, Ukraine's allies are consistent on the subject of military assistance, which range may expand in the near future.

Two-thirds of respondents expressed their intent to come back to Ukraine, of which only 35% are planning to return home immediately after the end of the war. The key factors that influence immigrants’ intentions to return to Ukraine are: emotional connection with the Motherland and security in the home region (43% each), reunification with family and employment opportunities in Ukraine (38% each).

Last week (July 31 — August 6), a discussion of the Ukrainian “peace formula” took place in Saudi Arabia, attended by representatives from about 40 countries. The participants supported the central points of the peace plan such as respect for the sovereignty and inviolability of the territorial integrity of states. However, Russia is not going to end the hostilities and publicly states that it claims Ukrainian lands, which have even been “included” in the Russian constitution. Russia has allocated a third of state budget spending for defense; it builds armed self-defense units in the regions bordering Ukraine, and keeps increasing the mobilization resources. At the same time, the war is shooting back to the aggressor's territory more and more, where military facilities and logistics arteries of the occupiers keep exploding. To justify its own failures, the Kremlin accuses Ukraine of terrorism, simultaneously attacking the civilian and critical infrastructure of our state.

Last week (July 24–30), the Russia-Africa Summit was held. Moscow tried to bribe African countries with free grain, but this strategy failed. South Africa and the African Union, which unites 55 countries of the continent, called on Russia to resume the "grain deal". Kyiv is looking for alternative logistics routes for the export of Ukrainian grain to global markets, and is trying to unblock the opportunity to sell their own agricultural products in the EU⁠internal market. Russia is deepening cooperation with Iran and is looking for new allies who can help them supply weapons in the face of sanctions pressure.

Reflecting on the future of their country, Ukrainians mostly feel hope (59%), anxiety (42%), and optimism (33%). During the full-scale war, optimism and hope for a better future for the country reached one of the highest levels since the Revolution of Dignity. At the same time, the increased negative emotions and lower optimism during June 2023 cause concerns, as the negative emotions about the country's future are related to the respondents' willingness to agree to a quick ending of the war at any price. The increase in the level of negative emotions could be attributed to the demolition of Kakhovka HPP, which took place during the survey, however, additional monitoring is needed to prove this hypothesis.