Why China is being urged to study Ukraine’s wartime PR blitz in the AI age

China has been urged to learn from Ukraine's wartime communication strategies in the AI age. A recent study suggests that while advanced technology is important, its success depends on effectively weaving together the information strategy and military operations. The researchers from the National University of Defence Technology recommend multi-actor coordination, where government, think tanks, and internet influencers work together to deliver synchronized messages.

They also stress the importance of layered storytelling tailored to different audiences and the aggressive use of generative AI tools to create, promote, and defend messages. The study analyzed Ukraine's June 2025 operation, code-named Spiderweb, where more than 100 drones attacked Russian airbases. The strikes were combined with an information offensive that aimed to rewrite the narrative of the conflict.

Ukraine framed the attacks as self-defense against Russian aggression, portrayed itself as restrained and seeking to protect cities from bombings, and used deterrence by hitting high-value targets across multiple Russian regions. These messages were spread through diverse networks, including global media, social media influencers, and eyewitnesses.

The study highlights that Ukraine's success in cognitive pressure on Russia, sustaining domestic morale, and gaining Western support was due to its surprise drone strikes and sophisticated information packaging. China has invested in AI warfare, autonomous systems, and cognitive domain operations to disrupt enemy decision-making.

They are closely monitoring ongoing wars and strengthening messaging to counter AI-generated deepfakes. The study emphasizes the need for China to orchestrate government voices, media, online influencers, and citizens into a coherent, adaptive system capable of shaping perceptions as decisively as kinetic operations.