Information Warfare: The Role of Russia’s Joker DPR

What do we know about Joker DPR?

• However, evidence suggests that it is likely a threat group that depends on a coordinated network of pro-Russian sympathizers in Ukraine and like-minded actors to collect and publish sensitive information.
• Its most notable claim so far has been an alleged breach of DELTA, a Ukrainian battlefield management system used for national defense. However, it is unlikely that the breach was as extensive as Joker DPR has claimed.

Why this matters

• Its activities appear to align with Russian influence operations in Ukraine, aimed at undermining support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and the Ukrainian government. This suggests that the group may be amplifying Russian information operations in Ukraine, possibly with coordination from the Russian state.
• Russia's potential utilization of Joker DPR to advance its objectives in Ukraine is consistent with its current strategic approach, commonly referred to as "hybrid warfare" or the "Gerasimov Doctrine". 
• This doctrine prioritizes cyber and influence operations over traditional kinetic operations, enabling Russia to achieve goals that may have been unattainable through conventional means.

Alignment with other Russian gangs

• Joker DPR's claims of collaboration with other pro-Russian hacktivist groups, including Beregini, Sprut, Limma, and Killnet, imply possible coordination with the Russian state. 
• Beregini has previously supported Russia's influence operations, while Killnet has expressed its intent to coordinate with the Russian government. 

The bottom line