How did a single drone video reshape global perceptions of a modern conflict? In 2025, Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb showcased the power of transparency, releasing real-time footage of strikes on Russian bomber bases, captivating audiences and exposing adversary weaknesses.
In contrast, the India–Pakistan air skirmish, sparked by a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, fueled confusion through unverified claims and disinformation, with Pakistan’s exaggerated reports of downed Indian jets amplifying mistrust. These events offer contrasting case studies in managing wartime narratives, verifying claims, and engaging diverse audiences.
The 2025 India–Pakistan skirmish and Operation Spiderweb highlight the critical role of strategic communication in modern conflicts, where drones, social media, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) shape outcomes.
This analysis explores impacts on domestic publics, international allies, media, policymakers, military stakeholders, and adversaries, underscoring how technology, transparency, and disinformation influence conflict dynamics and global perceptions.
The India-Pakistan air skirmish of 2025 escalated from tensions over Jammu and Kashmir. It was ignited by a terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, killing 26 civilians, mostly tourists. India launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes on May 6, targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. From May 6 to May 10, both nations exchanged airstrikes, hitting air bases and infrastructure, risking broader conflict.
On May 7, Pakistan claimed via X to have downed five Indian aircraft, including Rafales, fueling domestic support but lacking verified evidence. India has not officially confirmed losses, though reports suggest at least two aircraft were downed, fostering confusion among civilians.
Pakistan’s claim targeted the Rafale, a multi-role fighter jet manufactured by Dassault Aviation, equipped with advanced radar and missiles for air superiority. India’s 36 Rafale jets, acquired in 2016 for €7.8 billion, symbolize modernization, outmatching Pakistan’s F-16s and JF-35s and escalating nuclear tensions. Pakistan’s unverified claim, debunked by OSINT, aimed to undermine India but fueled confusion, underscoring the need for rapid, credible communication to counter disinformation.
The nuclear rivalry between the two nations heightened stakes, with rapid disinformation amplifying tensions. Drones and social media platforms like X and WhatsApp spread misinformation, including recycled images from a 2024 Indian jet crash falsely linked to the conflict, garnering significant attention. Scarce independent verification obscured the conflict’s scale, deepening public skepticism.
A U.S.-mediated ceasefire on May 10 paused hostilities, but the episode underscored the dangers of unverified narratives in a volatile region.
Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, launched on June 1, 2025, escalated its defense against Russian aggression, rooted in the 2014 conflict, using advanced drone technology. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) executed coordinated strikes with 117 FPV drones targeting five Russian air bases: Belaya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo, Severny, Olenya, and Ukrainka, spanning 7,000 kilometers across five time zones from Siberia to the Arctic.
These strikes disrupted Russia’s long-range bomber capabilities, including Tu-95s, exposing vulnerabilities. On June 4, the SBU released Telegram footage showcasing the attacks, captivating global audiences and contrasting with the India-Pakistan skirmish’s opacity. Russia downplayed the damage, claiming minimal impact in Murmansk and Irkutsk while asserting most attacks were repelled. Ukraine estimated 41 aircraft damaged in Operation Spiderweb on June 1, 2025. Independent reports, including NATO assessments, estimated around 40 aircraft affected, including 10 to 13 destroyed.
Leveraging cutting-edge drones, open-source intelligence, and platforms like Telegram and X, Ukraine achieved transparency, swiftly disseminating information to rally domestic support and shape international perceptions in a hybrid war where information rivals military might.
The 2025 India–Pakistan air skirmish and Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb reveal stark contrasts in wartime information management, as summarized below:
Table 1: Comparison of Information Management Strategies.
The India-Pakistan air skirmish of 2025 was marked by unverified claims, such as Pakistan’s May 7, 2025, X assertion of downing five Indian jets, including Rafales, later undermined by WhatsApp sharing a recycled 2024 crash image. India’s delayed response, roughly 48 hours, prioritized operational security but fueled domestic confusion and international skepticism, eroding trust and complicating de-escalation.
Conversely, Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, launched June 1, 2025, employed rapid, evidence-based communication. The SBU released Telegram footage post-June 1, showing drone strikes on Russian Tu-95 bombers, supported by satellite imagery and OSINT analysis. While Bellingcat’s specific corroboration is unverified, Ukraine’s transparency amplified credibility, undermined Russian confidence, and bolstered NATO support. This openness delivered a psychological blow, shaping global narratives and reinforcing domestic morale.
While India-Pakistan’s secrecy obscured losses, Ukraine’s transparency exposed vulnerabilities, highlighting the effectiveness of verified communication in modern warfare.
The India-Pakistan air skirmish of 2025 prioritized operational security over transparency, with divergent outcomes. India delayed acknowledging losses from drone and missile strikes. They maintained silence for roughly 48 hours after Pakistan’s May 7, 2025, claim of downing five Indian jets, including Rafales, without confirming specific losses.
This secrecy aimed to protect military operations but fueled conflicting narratives, leading to mixed domestic morale as citizens grappled with unverified reports. Pakistan amplified unverified claims via social media, with WhatsApp groups circulating a recycled 2024 crash image as evidence of victories. This was later debunked by OSINT analysts.
The lack of credible verification eroded trust, with international media reporting confusion that undermined both nations’ credibility. Policymakers faced pressure to clarify claims, while adversaries exploited ambiguity to escalate rhetoric, prolonging tensions until a ceasefire on May 10, 2025.
The media’s amplification of disinformation, such as the false jet-downing narrative, complicated de-escalation, highlighting the risks of opaque communication in hybrid conflicts.
Operation Spiderweb exemplified Ukraine’s strategic use of transparent, evidence-based communication to gain psychological and diplomatic advantages. On June 1, 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) executed a large-scale drone attack targeting Russian air bases, with footage released on June 4, 2025, showcasing strikes on Russian Tu-95 bombers and other aircraft.
Coordinated with OSINT groups, the operation’s verification confirmed significant damage to Russian military assets, boosting Ukrainian morale and exposing adversary vulnerabilities. Major media outlets, including The Guardian, amplified Ukraine’s transparency, framing it as a formidable actor, which enhanced its credibility and spurred diplomatic discussions, such as a call between U.S. and Russian leaders on June 4, 2025.
The visible losses weakened Russian military morale, increasing internal pressure, while Ukraine leveraged the operation to strengthen its international position.
This approach, supported by drones and OSINT, contrasted with the ambiguity-driven mistrust in conflicts like India-Pakistan, demonstrating how transparency can achieve victories in modern warfare.
The 2025 India–Pakistan air skirmish and Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb underscore the pivotal role of information warfare in modern conflicts. India–Pakistan’s unverified claims, such as Pakistan’s exaggerated reports of downing Indian jets, eroded public trust and complicated de-escalation efforts. All the while conflicting narratives fueled domestic and international skepticism. In contrast, Operation Spiderweb’s evidence-based approach, with drone footage and OSINT verification, shaped global narratives and achieved psychological dominance over Russia, boosting Ukrainian credibility and morale.
Disinformation risks destabilizing alliances and escalating conflicts, while transparency strengthens strategic positioning. Militaries must prioritize credible communication to counter false narratives and maintain public support. This is exceptionally important, particularly in hybrid warfare, where information shapes outcomes as much as kinetic actions.
Balancing transparency with operational security remains a critical challenge. Ukraine’s rapid release of drone footage revealed tactical capabilities, risking Russian countermeasures. Yet, it secured diplomatic gains and public support. Conversely, India’s 48-hour silence on losses prioritized security but fueled disinformation, as recycled crash images spread unchecked. Controlled transparency, such as releasing redacted footage or verified summaries, can maintain credibility without compromising sensitive details.
Militaries should train communicators to leverage OSINT for selective disclosures, countering disinformation while protecting operational integrity. For example, Ukraine’s coordination with Bellingcat ensured verified claims without exposing full capabilities. Integrating OSINT into communication doctrines can enhance trust and deter adversaries, offering a model for future conflicts where information is a strategic asset.
Militaries must adapt by developing doctrines that integrate real-time OSINT and media strategies to enhance credibility. Tailoring communication to diverse audiences, domestic publics for morale, international allies for support, media for amplification, and adversaries for deterrence, is essential. Ukraine’s media engagement strengthened NATO backing, while Pakistan’s ambiguity alienated neutral observers, weakening its diplomatic stance. Policymakers should invest in training and infrastructure to support agile, credible communication, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
Emerging technologies will shape information warfare. AI-generated deepfakes could amplify disinformation, as seen in potential India–Pakistan scenarios, while advanced drones will enhance OSINT capabilities. As hybrid conflicts grow, global security demands investment in cyber and media capabilities to counter threats and maintain narrative control. This ensures resilience in an era of rapid information flows.
The 2025 India–Pakistan air skirmish and Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb illustrate divergent approaches to wartime information management. India–Pakistan’s reliance on secrecy and unverified claims fueled mistrust and disinformation, complicating de-escalation. Conversely, Ukraine’s transparent, evidence-based strategy, with rapid drone footage releases, shaped narratives, boosted morale, and secured NATO support.
Transparency proved more effective in building trust and achieving strategic goals. As information warfare becomes central to modern conflicts, states must prioritize credible communication to manage escalation and maintain alliances. The rise of AI, deepfakes, and drones amplifies these challenges, demanding adaptive strategies. How can militaries balance transparency with security in this era? Investing in open-source intelligence (OSINT) training and strategic communication infrastructure is critical to counter disinformation, enhance credibility, and navigate future hybrid conflicts effectively.
Tang Meng Kit is a Singaporean freelance analyst and commentator who works as an aerospace engineer. He graduated from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), NTU, Singapore in 2025.
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