The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has officially commented on their video clip, in which they urged the public and media representatives to be cautious when disclosing information that could harm the country’s defense and security. The video, which generated significant resonance and sparked discussions about the role of the media in the war, was released the day before and became one of the key components of the Ukrainian defenders’ information campaign aimed at safeguarding information security.
In their explanation, the General Staff emphasized that the depicted video serves solely an educational and preventive purpose. Its goal is to convey to a broader audience, including media representatives, the importance of controlling personal and professional information that could be exploited by the enemy in the Russia-Ukraine war. The officials underlined that such an approach will help avoid potential negative consequences associated with the leakage of confidential information, which could influence the course of hostilities. The video portrays journalists with microphones, seemingly revealing secrets about drone manufacturing sites, from which Ukrainian forces gather intelligence, or showing locations of strikes on infrastructure objects. The video text includes a warning: “One report – one strike. The consequences are catastrophic.” This was done to draw attention to the media’s responsibility for spreading information, as careless or unwarranted sharing might aid the enemy in planning strikes against Ukrainian targets and military positions. The representatives of the General Staff added that this video was created in close cooperation with the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security under the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine. Together with experts and security specialists, they aim not only to inform but also to foster a responsible attitude toward information dissemination during the war. The commentary also highlights that this project is part of a broader campaign called “Information Security,” which aims to increase public awareness about the importance of protecting classified information. The General Staff recognizes the vital role of journalists and their contribution to the fight for Ukraine’s independence and integrity. They expressed gratitude to media professionals for their support, dedication, and diligent work during this challenging time. At the same time, the staff noted that the video should not be interpreted as criticism or blame toward media representatives. Its main purpose is to make everyone think once more about the potential consequences of reckless actions in the information space and to emphasize that any openly or covertly shared information can be exploited by the enemy against Ukraine. The General Staff promised to review the created video, taking into account constructive feedback and recommendations from experts, and assured that, after final adjustments, it will become clearer and better fulfill its educational function. The military team also sincerely thanked citizens and professionals who maintain informational silence and are aware of the responsibility for preserving state and military secrets. It should be noted that just a few days ago, the General Staff already called on the media and military personnel to be extremely cautious when sharing any data on social networks and public platforms. They released an animated video emphasizing the importance of adhering to information security rules, since the responsibility of each person determines the protection of the state and the safety of Ukrainian soldiers. Thus, Ukrainian defenders clearly state: in the war, information is just as important as weapons. They stress that every citizen, especially journalists and military personnel, must understand their responsibility and act in accordance with principles of confidentiality and caution, so as not to give the enemy any chance to use open data to undermine Ukraine’s defenses. It is crucial to remember that “one report – one strike” is not just words, but a reminder of the cost of careless information provocation during wartime.