Research Articles
Suggested Citation:
Myronovych, A. (2024). Implementation of Public Affairs in the interests of military operations: NATO standards and
Ukrainian Armed Forces experience. Foreign Affairs, 34(1), 26-34. doi:10.46493/2663-2675.34(1).2024.26.
*
Corresponding author
UDC 94(5):327.5
DOI: 10.46493/2663-2675.34(1).2024.26
Anton Myronovych
*
PhD Student, Head of the Educational and Research Centre for Language Training
Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Army Academy
79026, 32 Heroiv Maidanu Str., Lviv, Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2324-2515
Implementation of Public Aairs in the interests of military operations:
NATO standards and Ukrainian Armed Forces experience
Received: 30.10.2023, Revised: 31.01.2024, Accepted: 29.02.2024
Introduction
Given the rapid development and widespread use of in-
formation and communication processes in the modern
world, Public Affairs (PA) in the military sphere plays a key
role in supporting military operations. In this context, it
is important to implement this function of military com-
mand according to the standards of the armies of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) member states, as
well as the experience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
(AFU) gained during the repulsion of Russian military ag-
gression countering the destructive actions of the aggres-
sor country in the information dimension. Public Affairs is
an important component of Strategic Communications in
the military sphere, as it contributes to the formation of a
positive image of the Armed Forces, maintaining trust and
understanding between military and civilian actors, and
countering the enemyʼs information aggression.
In the twenty-rst century, Public Affairs have become
a subject of widespread interest for both academics and
practitioners. Previous research in this area carried out
both within the academic community and within military
organisations, has made a signicant contribution to the
understanding of the processes of implementing PA. How-
ever, some gaps and shortcomings need to be addressed
for the further development of this eld. The topic of PA
is relevant and well-studied in the academic literature,
especially in the context of NATO standards and policies.
Many researchers point out the importance and complex-
ity of this area of activity, which requires a high level of
Copyright © The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Abstract. The research relevance is determined by the need for a deep understanding of Public Affairs strategies in modern
military conicts, where the information space becomes an arena of struggle no less important than the battleeld itself.
In the context of the growing role of media and information technology, the effective implementation of Public Affairs
can determine the success of military operations and the formation of public opinion. The study aims to analyse current
approaches to Public Affairs in the military sphere, with a focus on the experience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the
implementation of NATO standards, to identify effective strategies and methodologies in this area. The methodological
basis of the study is based on the following methods: analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalisation, classication, and
systematisation. The results of the study include a review of regulations, organisational structure, means and methods
of Public Affairs used in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and NATO countries. Analysis of the challenges and problems faced
by Public Affairs professionals in the current conditions of hybrid warfare, as well as the prospects for the development
of this area of activity in the context of strengthening the information security of the state, is given special attention.
The author emphasises the importance of integrating Public Affairs into the overall system of Strategic Communications
in the structure of military command and the need to ensure the active participation of Public Affairs Ofcers in the
planning and implementation of military operations. The importance of developing the professional skills of Public Affairs
professionals and using the latest information and communication technologies to improve the effectiveness of Strategic
Communications is emphasised. The practical signicance of the study is due to its contribution to the development
of approaches and standards for the implementation of effective Public Affairs in the context of military operations,
identication of problems and challenges in this area, recommendations for developing the skills of specialists and
improving the level of information security of the state
Keywords: strategic communications; information warfare; hybrid warfare; mass media; information operations;
propaganda
