 Ukraine managed to make 17,000 Russian soldiers desert. Thanks to its information operations, Ukraine managed to make 17,000 Russian soldiers desert without firing a single shot, according to the head of the US Army Special Operations Command, Jonathan Braga. News agency Business Insider notes, rapid progress in communication technologies and the use of media and social networks have made it easier to access information. This allowed Ukraine to promote its interests to a broad audience and undermine the positions of its competitors. According to the American commander, Ukraine employed propaganda methods that convinced thousands of Russians to abandon their positions. Messaging has played a huge role just in the tactical and operational sense in Ukraine. We've supported our Ukrainian partners there. You've had 17,000 Russians desert. That's 17,000 soldiers you didn't have to blow up on the battlefield or destroy. That has weakened the defensive mechanisms, Braga said. Using social media, military and intelligence services can gather detailed information about the enemy, their equipment and personnel. This data is used for attacks and undermining morale. The article adds that the Kremlin is trying to counter the consequences of Ukrainian psychological operations. This includes punishments, including executing soldiers. American military personnel against the backdrop of a potential confrontation with China or Russia called for increased investment in information operations so they could shape the information battlefield before, during and after military actions.