Як українська OSINT допомагає державі під час війни?
How Ukrainian OSINT Helps the State During the War?

Summary/Abstract: Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022 demonstrated a number of changes in modern warfare. It turned out that OSINT, i.e. the collection of intelligence data from open sources, in skillful hands can become a powerful weapon. Darya Verbytska, Head of PR at Molfar, talks about how Ukrainian commercial intelligence helps defend the country and why Elon Musk found himself in its field of interests. In recent years, Ukrainian OSINT practitioners have transformed open-source intelligence into a strategic tool that uncovers war crimes, sanctions violators, propaganda networks, and even the locations of abducted children, revealing how civilian expertise can meaningfully support national defense. The story traces how the company Molfar evolved from corporate background checks into large-scale investigations shaped by Russia’s full-scale invasion, conducting over a thousand inquiries annually and collaborating with government bodies on sanctions, repatriation efforts, and tracking Russian military personnel. Their work spans analyzing video game propaganda, mapping financial and political connections, identifying collaborators, and creating detailed registries of war criminals, propagandists, and individuals aiding Russia. As their influence grew, some investigations—such as including Elon Musk in a propaganda-related register—sparked international controversy, illustrating how OSINT can become entangled in geopolitical narratives. Alongside investigative work, the organization trains military personnel, journalists, and corporate clients in digital security and intelligence techniques, expanding a volunteer OSINT community around them. Despite criticism and misinformation, the team remains committed to accuracy, ethical responsibility, and refining politically sensitive terminology within their registries. Their geospatial intelligence unit plays a particularly critical role by helping locate individuals responsible for atrocities, a contribution measurable by concrete results. The narrative ultimately highlights the power, complexity, and social impact of modern open-source intelligence in wartime Ukraine, driven by a small but dedicated civilian team.

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