Ukrainian Media Intelligence Firm Osavul Secures Major Investment to Combat Disinformation

The Ukrainian company Osavul has recently made headlines by securing a significant investment of $3 million (approximately €2.78 million), marking it as the largest funding effort aimed at tackling disinformation in Europe. In its latest announcement, Osavul has revealed its three key European investors: 42CAP, a prominent German venture capital firm; u.ventures, a fund backed by the US government that co-finances projects in Ukraine and Moldova; and the SMRK Venture Capital Fund, which played a crucial role in their fundraising efforts last year.

Co-founder Dmytro Bilash, who initially had no intentions of entering the security domain, hails from a background in business and advertising. His journey took a dramatic turn in 2022 when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leading to the destruction of his apartment in Kyiv by Russian missiles. This personal tragedy ignited a sense of urgency in Bilash to make a difference. A call for assistance from the Ukrainian government catalyzed the creation of Osavul—a media intelligence organization that harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify and combat disinformation.

What started as a modest initiative in 2022 has rapidly evolved, now participating in EU-funded and NATO projects and attracting millions in funding. Osavul has established its headquarters in Delaware, USA, employing a diverse team of 28 specialists from around the globe, while over 500 analysts utilize the company’s data.

Insights from Dmytro Bilash on Disinformation Dynamics

Dmytro Bilash recently spoke with Euronews, sharing insights into the motivations behind Osavul’s inception and the pervasive nature of Russian disinformation.

Euronews: What motivated you to start Osavul?
Bilash: Our primary goal was to provide assistance during a time of crisis. The full-scale invasion fundamentally altered the lives of all Ukrainians. We offered our analytical expertise, and soon we were approached by government officials. The scale of the disinformation issue is enormous—no private company, whether in Europe or the USA, could effectively tackle this overwhelming flood of misinformation. Prior to the invasion, the scale of disinformation was relatively minor, but we recognized the urgent need to develop solutions to address this modern threat.

Euronews: How did your background in advertising transition into disinformation analysis?
Bilash: It was a challenging transition. We lacked a comprehensive solution to address these issues. However, we were adept at analyzing publicly available data, and we leveraged that expertise to create sophisticated technology to tackle disinformation.

Euronews: Can you explain your current working methodology?
Bilash: Our process involves several key steps. We gather data from various online sources, collecting over 10 million messages daily. Our AI analyzes this vast dataset to identify prevailing narratives, topics of discussion, and opinions expressed by media outlets, businesses, political entities, or influential figures. For instance, if Russia initiates a disinformation campaign in a European nation to disrupt elections or sow discord around economic issues, our system detects this and highlights the specific narratives employed in these attacks. We utilize three types of tools: open-source tools, commercial tools, and our proprietary tools.

Once the AI model filters the primary ideas and identifies false news stories, we focus on understanding the source of this misinformation. Is it propagated by a public institution, propaganda channels, or dubious websites? What impact does it have? Do these false narratives remain confined to one channel, or do they propagate further, creating an expansive echo chamber? We compile all this information and present it to decision-makers. Ultimately, our goal is to equip legislators and security institutions with the necessary insights to take action against misinformation, especially when laws are being violated.

Euronews: Can you provide an example of the primary narratives prevalent in Russian disinformation?
Bilash: It’s crucial to recognize that disinformation patterns are deeply influenced by cultural contexts and the specific audiences they target. These patterns are tailored to resonate with particular groups, whether they be young people, left- or right-leaning individuals, or Russian- or German-speaking communities. One prominent narrative in Russian disinformation is the portrayal of a weakening German economy. For instance, if a furniture company goes bankrupt—regardless of its actual existence—it is presented as a genuine case. In Germany, factual news is often manipulated or placed in misleading contexts to create the illusion that the German economy or state is faltering. Ultimately, the goal of these disinformation efforts in Germany is to undermine support for Ukraine.

Euronews: Why does Russia focus heavily on Germany for its disinformation campaigns?
Bilash: Several factors contribute to this strategy. First and foremost, Germany is a significant player on the global stage, being the largest economy in Europe. Additionally, the presence of a substantial Russian-speaking community in Germany facilitates the dissemination of disinformation. However, this element is not strictly necessary. Another key factor is the widespread use of Telegram, a messaging service that is more prevalent in Germany compared to other Western European nations. Much disinformation is propagated through platforms like X, TikTok, and Telegram—channels that often lack stringent oversight compared to Meta’s platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Furthermore, Russia can exploit pre-existing structures established prior to the war, leveraging the strong historical ties between Russia and Germany. In cultures that highly value freedom of expression, there tends to be a more fertile ground for disinformation.

Euronews: How can everyday individuals recognize disinformation?
Bilash: When I come across content on social media, I pay attention to my emotional responses. If a post or video evokes a strong emotional reaction, I become suspicious and ask myself why that is. Therefore, a key warning sign of fake news is the presence of intense emotional triggers. The second aspect to consider is the source of the information. Did I receive it from a trusted friend, or is it from a random account on X that typically shares lighthearted pet videos but suddenly presents a strong political stance? Sometimes, that distinction is enough to question the credibility of the information. Additionally, the current climate of disinformation underscores the importance of quality journalism, which can serve as a reliable resource for debunking and verifying false claims.

Euronews: Are there specific Russian disinformation narratives that are more prominently circulated within Ukraine?
Bilash: The situation in Ukraine differs somewhat from that in Europe or the rest of the world. Ukrainians have generally become much more discerning and vigilant. The strategies employed here are often closely tied to military developments. For example, Russia tends to exaggerate its ‘victories’ on the battlefield, presenting them as significant triumphs. If a village near the frontline is captured, it may no longer exist or have any residents, but Russian propaganda will herald it as a momentous victory for their armed forces. The aim of such campaigns is to disrupt the sense of unity among Ukrainians, both within the country and in the diaspora, thereby weakening mutual support.

Euronews: Is there a common strategy that Russia employs in its disinformation campaigns?
Bilash: Yes, when Russian propaganda discusses a nuclear threat, it often serves as a warning—either for the domestic audience or the international community. Take, for example, the bombing of the maternity hospital in Mariupol. This incident illustrates what we refer to as the “information alibi.” Prior to the attack, disinformation was spread suggesting that a Ukrainian battalion was stationed within the hospital. When the bombing occurred, the groundwork had already been laid, making it easier to propagate false narratives justifying the attack. Reporting the truth is straightforward: something happens, and you report it. However, if you’re attempting to disseminate a specific false narrative, you must prepare and maintain that narrative over time. It requires a systematic approach, akin to a machine that channels resources into spreading these deceptive stories.