Maria Berlinska Launches Victory Neurones for Ukraine’s 2nd War Front
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 13
Maria Berlinska Launches Victory Neurones for Ukraine’s 2nd War Front
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 13
Summary
Kyiv hosted a new push into cognitive warfare last month as Maria Berlinska created Victory Neurones and convened specialists in strategic communications, cyberwarfare and influence operations.
Berlinska and other officials said the effort targets Russian public support for the invasion and aims to curb Moscow’s ability to mount a general mobilization in coming months.
Her argument is that Ukraine’s drone edge, while significant, will not by itself decide the war, making the “battle for minds” the next crucial phase.
Berlinska already helped shape Ukraine’s drone campaign through Victory Drones, a nonprofit that has trained thousands of pilots and backed investment in defense technology.
As Russian opinion fractures, could Ukraine's mind war backfire and unify its citizens against outside influence?
With AI now waging cognitive war, are we entering an uncontrollable era of automated propaganda?
To win the 'battle for minds,' must a democracy adopt the manipulative tactics of an autocracy?
The Second War Front: Ukraine’s Launch of Victory Neurones and the Battle for Minds in 2026
Overview
In July 2026, Maria Berlinska, a pioneer in Ukraine’s defense technology, launched Victory Neurones, marking a major shift from technological warfare to cognitive warfare. Building on her experience as a volunteer reconnaissance soldier and her success with Victory Drones, Berlinska has consistently driven innovation by training thousands of drone pilots and attracting key investment. Victory Neurones now establishes cognitive warfare as Ukraine’s critical second war front, focusing on influencing the opponent’s reasoning and decisions. This new approach highlights the importance of winning not just on the battlefield, but also in the minds of adversaries.