UK Warns on AI Disinformation Undermining Ukraine

Published: 09 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Foreign states are increasingly using AI-generated videos to destabilise western support for Ukraine, Yvette Cooper will warn in a major address on Tuesday. The UK foreign secretary plans to urge allied nations to assist Britain in countering what she describes as “information warfare,” highlighting growing concerns over Russia’s use of forged documents and deepfake material to advance geopolitical objectives.

Cooper’s warning builds on prior Foreign Office briefings revealing that Russian intelligence operates an extensive disinformation network known as Doppelgänger. This network has previously spread false rumours regarding the health of the Princess of Wales and western funding for Israel. Officials warn that these campaigns aim to manipulate public opinion, weaken alliances, and distort narratives surrounding Ukraine’s ongoing conflict.

“Across Europe, we are witnessing an escalation in hybrid threats – spanning physical and cyber domains – designed to weaken critical national infrastructure, undermine our interests, and interfere in our democracies for the benefit of malign foreign states,” Cooper will assert.

Her speech, marking the centenary of the Locarno treaties signed after World War I between the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Poland, and Czechoslovakia, comes amid heightened sensitivities in the Ukraine war. With former US president Donald Trump pushing for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, both sides are actively seeking to influence Washington’s decision-making process.

Recent high-level talks between US and Ukrainian officials have yielded little progress, prompting Trump to accuse Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of not fully considering the proposals. Zelenskyy visited Downing Street on Monday, engaging in discussions with Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Meanwhile, Cooper met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington to coordinate international responses to information manipulation campaigns.

Cooper will emphasise that contemporary disinformation differs markedly from past propaganda efforts. “A hundred years ago, state-sponsored actors relied on forged documents or planted stories to sway public opinion. Today, technological advances have lowered the barrier to entry, allowing more actors with less expertise to operate on behalf of foreign regimes,” she will explain.

The foreign secretary warns that these AI-generated and manipulated videos can subtly erode public support for key allies such as Ukraine, diminishing the western resolve to resist Russia’s illegal invasion. The campaigns, she notes, also exploit social divisions on issues like gender, migration, and climate change.

“This is not about legitimate debate. Citizens in the UK hold strong opinions on migration, gender, and climate, but these are domestic conversations. Malign foreign states should not manipulate these debates to advance their own interests,” Cooper asserts.

Officials cite a series of disinformation campaigns worldwide, including fake websites created during Moldova’s September elections. These sites, masquerading as belonging to the ruling PAS party, presented fabricated policies such as extending retirement age and increasing military service, aiming to mislead voters and disrupt political stability.

Cooper’s address underscores a growing awareness that hybrid threats, including AI-driven information warfare, now play a strategic role in global conflict. Governments must coordinate to strengthen resilience, protect democratic processes, and prevent malign foreign influence from shaping public discourse. Analysts warn that failure to act could embolden other states to exploit emerging technologies, accelerating the dissemination of misinformation across social media platforms worldwide.

The UK government is considering a range of measures to counter these threats, from strengthening digital literacy programs to expanding cooperation with allied nations. Experts highlight that public awareness campaigns are crucial to equipping citizens with the skills to recognise deepfakes and other forms of manipulated content.

Cooper’s message is clear: hybrid threats are no longer limited to cyberattacks or traditional espionage. Generative AI, deepfakes, and digitally manipulated content present new challenges that threaten national security, international alliances, and the integrity of democratic institutions. As such, the UK is calling for a united global response, emphasising collaboration between governments, technology companies, and civil society to counter this growing menace.

“The scale of disinformation today is unprecedented. Malign actors can now manipulate entire populations, erode trust, and weaken alliances,” Cooper will warn. “Our collective response must be proactive, coordinated, and innovative, leveraging technology to combat the very tools that threaten our democratic values.”

Observers note that addressing AI-driven disinformation will require sustained investment in both technology and policy frameworks. Transparency initiatives, fact-checking networks, and legislative action are all being discussed as part of the UK’s broader strategy to safeguard information integrity. Cooper’s address is expected to galvanise international attention, highlighting the need for cooperative measures to secure the information environment while protecting freedom of expression.

As social media platforms remain a primary vector for these campaigns, experts urge companies to adopt stricter content moderation policies, implement AI detection systems, and actively partner with governments to mitigate the spread of falsified media. Failure to respond effectively could allow malicious states to influence elections, disrupt alliances, and weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.

In conclusion, Cooper’s warning about AI-driven disinformation underscores an urgent strategic challenge for the UK and its allies. Hybrid threats are evolving rapidly, and governments must remain vigilant to protect democracies, support Ukraine, and maintain international stability in an era of unprecedented technological influence.