The War That Went Viral

The Russian–Ukrainian War on Social Media

Abstract

This study explores the role of social media – particularly Twitter, Reddit, and TikTok – in modern warfare, using the Russian–Ukrainian war as a case study. It identifies six key areas where social media functions as a tool of warfare: intelligence gathering, target acquisition, information operations, cyberspace activities, defense strategies, and command and control. The research employs a qualitative approach to analyze how these platforms shape public perception, facilitate cyberattacks, and assist in strategic coordination while also addressing challenges such as misinformation, bias, and ethical concerns. By building on hybrid warfare and information operations theories, the study underscores how social media blurs the lines between traditional media and the battlefield. Ultimately, it calls for interdisciplinary methodologies to better understand the strategic impact of social media in contemporary conflicts.