How "gray" Telegram channels spread disinformation and influence public sentiment exemplified by the “Nach_shtabu” Telegram channel.

Abstract

One of the most well-known principles of spreading disinformation, influencing public sentiment and promoting desired narratives is the so-called “60/40” formula. Since the beginning of the CTO a number of "gray" telegram channels have appeared, and it was difficult to establish the authorship of these telegrams. The information policy of one of the most famous among those channels - @nach_shtabu, its target audience being military personnel - is analyzed. Changes in the channel’s editorial policy over time, examples of information manipulation, reasons for its popularity growth, information-psychological campaigns during the large-scale invasion of Ukraine are reviewed.