On 10 July 2024, the Ukraine Foundation hosted an exclusive Expresso online session with Jeffrey S. Bardin, its Senior Fellow for Counterintelligence & Cognitive Warfare. The event, titled “Winning the War for Minds: Cognitive Warfare Strategies for Ukraine’s Victory”, brought together policymakers, security experts, and members of the public eager to understand one of the most decisive battlefields of today’s war—the information space.
Mr. Bardin, a globally recognized authority on cyber counterintelligence and hybrid warfare, drew on more than 30 years of experience in the military, government, and private sector. As founder and Chief Intelligence Officer of an international intelligence firm, he has led cutting-edge initiatives in cyber HUMINT, persona development, and combating Russian, Iranian, and Chinese information operations. His track record with NATO, U.S. agencies, and global banks made his perspectives particularly valuable for Ukraine’s struggle against Russia’s cognitive offensives.
During the session, Bardin unpacked Russia’s evolving playbook in information warfare and explored how Ukraine can operationalize intelligence tradecraft to defend against—and outmaneuver—cognitive attacks. The conversation underscored the urgency of treating information not just as a supporting tool, but as a frontline domain of modern conflict. Participants also engaged directly with Bardin in a lively Q&A, gaining insights on practical strategies to counter disinformation and safeguard public resilience.
The event reaffirmed Ukraine Foundation’s commitment to equipping Ukraine and its partners with the intellectual and strategic tools necessary for understanding the multifaceted dimensions of this hybrid war.
