The Wiretap: USAID Was A Big Help In Ukraine’s Cyber War With Russia. Not Any More.

Forbes - Feb 11th, 2025
Open on Forbes

USAID-funded cybersecurity projects in Ukraine, which were crucial in bolstering the country's digital defenses, have been halted following an order from the Trump administration. This pause affects key initiatives like the USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine Activity, which aimed to protect diplomatic communications and infrastructure vulnerabilities. Victor Zhora and Oleh Derevianko, prominent figures in Ukraine's cybersecurity landscape, expressed concerns about funding cuts and the potential dismantling of USAID, emphasizing the importance of these projects for Ukraine's security, especially during ongoing conflicts.

The suspension of USAID projects reflects broader geopolitical and administrative shifts. The potential dismantling of USAID, spearheaded by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), threatens to leave Ukraine without vital cybersecurity support. This development underscores the challenges faced by countries reliant on foreign aid, particularly when such aid is subject to political changes. The disruption could have significant implications for Ukraine's defense capabilities amidst war, and for the sustainability of international aid programs that are critical for global cybersecurity resilience.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents a compelling narrative on the intersection of international aid, cybersecurity, and political influence. It covers topics of significant public interest, such as USAID's role in Ukraine and the potential impacts of administrative changes. However, the story's accuracy is undermined by a lack of balanced perspectives, credible sources, and transparency in its claims. The narrative could benefit from more authoritative sourcing and a clearer presentation of evidence to support its assertions. Despite these shortcomings, the article remains timely and relevant, addressing ongoing global issues that could influence public opinion and policy discussions. To enhance its impact and engagement, the article would need to provide a more nuanced and well-supported analysis, offering a broader range of viewpoints and more comprehensive verification of its claims.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story presents a mix of verifiable facts and claims that require further verification. For instance, the assertion that USAID-funded projects bolstered Ukraine's digital defenses is supported by existing documentation of USAID's activities in Ukraine. However, claims about the Trump administration's direct order to halt USAID projects and the role of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in reorganizing the agency are more complex and lack direct citation or evidence in the text. The mention of a teenage DOGE staffer's involvement in cybercrime also requires further substantiation from independent sources. Overall, while some factual claims are supported, others need more robust evidence to ensure full accuracy.

5
Balance

The article does not provide a balanced perspective, as it primarily focuses on USAID's involvement in Ukraine and the alleged impacts of political decisions on these projects. The narrative lacks viewpoints from the Trump administration, Elon Musk's DOGE, or other stakeholders who might offer alternative explanations or justifications for the actions described. This one-sided approach could lead to biases, as it does not explore potential counterarguments or the broader context of international aid and cybersecurity efforts.

6
Clarity

The article is moderately clear in its language and structure, presenting information in a logical sequence. However, the narrative is occasionally disrupted by a lack of clear transitions between topics, such as the shift from USAID activities to the cybercrime allegations. The tone is generally neutral, but the complexity of the issues discussed might challenge readers unfamiliar with the subject matter. Improving coherence and providing clearer explanations of technical terms could enhance overall clarity.

4
Source quality

The article relies heavily on unnamed sources and lacks direct citations from official documents or statements from USAID or the Trump administration. While it mentions individuals like Victor Zhora and Oleh Derevianko, their statements are not backed by additional independent verification. The reliance on an independent reporter for claims about the teenage staffer's cybercrime involvement also raises questions about the reliability of the source material. The absence of diverse and authoritative sources undermines the article's credibility.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency, particularly in its methodology and sourcing. It does not clearly disclose the basis for claims about USAID's halted projects or the alleged actions of Elon Musk's DOGE. Additionally, there is no discussion of potential conflicts of interest or biases that might affect the reporting. The lack of transparency makes it difficult for readers to assess the validity of the information presented and understand the context in which the claims are made.

Sources

  1. https://www.dai.com/our-work/projects/ukraine-cybersecurity-for-critical-infrastructure-activity
  2. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-secures-preliminary-deals-to-replace-usaid-funding-for-critical-projects-senior-official-says/
  3. https://oig.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2024-10/FY2025%20JSOP_OAR_FINAL_508_0.pdf
  4. https://oig.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/TMC_FY_2025-FINAL.pdf
  5. https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/02/7/7497172/