Social Network "Facebook" and Ukrainian Information Space Protection in the Conditions of Russian-Ukrainian Conflict

The presented work is an attempt to analyze the significance, place and role of social networks as one of the tools for conducting information and psychological operations of hybrid warfare.

Among other things, the article considers:

• the reasons for the formation and popularity of social networks in the role of mass communication tool, its advantages over traditional media platforms;
• some scientific developments on the methods and purposes of conducting information operations in a hybrid war;
• specific examples of such tools using in conducting information and psychological operations of hybrid warfare, in particular the formation of Ukraine’s negative image, undermining its mobilization readiness, panic spreading, feelings of danger, social insecurity among its citizens through social networks;
• and also some means of counteracting such operations in the "fifth-dimension war" context.

The tools of resistance in the information war conditions, including those from the international practice (legal, educational, journalistic and public initiatives) are listed.

Here is demonstrated the activity at the public, private, civic and consumer levels towards effective society protection from potentially harmful effects on society and the state by its enemies.

Practical recommendations at the level of social network users on preventing/reducing the side effects of information and psychological operations are given, the importance of information hygiene and media literacy is emphasized both for ordinary social networks users and for those for whom Facebook serves as a professional communication tool: public figures, journalists.

The article can be useful for practicing journalists, students, scientists, as well as a wide range of social network users who would like to raise their user level, as well as their own understanding of information processes in a hybrid war and their implementation in social networks.