Abstract

The article is devoted to the essence and distinctive features of informational war as phenomenon which exists from the old times and became a global resource today. The methods and the tools of informational fight are an integral part of the military conflicts and might result with the tragic outcomes. The problem of informational war in Ukraine and its background have been studied. The author argues that informational attacks against Ukraine have started long ago. They are aimed at loosening of the situation inside the country and creation of a negative image of Ukraine abroad. Pushing of idea of federalization, speculations on Russian as the second official language, the problems of Crimea and Crimea Tatars, allegations of illegal weapons trade during the war between Georgia and Russia, etc. are the examples of Russian informational attacks. The author analyzed the methods and the tools of informational influence used by Russian Federation against Ukraine. The author argues that Russia fights informational war openly andspending huge funds. There were described the main directions and the means of manipulative and psycho­informational technologies of Russian Federation towards Ukraine. The author has suggested the approaches to defense of informational space and national security of Ukraine.