--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Russians know that well executed…" description: "\"The Russians know that well executed disinformation, when exercised tactically, can quickly metastasize.\" — Will Hurd" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/434/will-hurd-5069_disinformation_the-russians-know-that-well-executed-dis_775173.jpg" --- # The Russians know that well executed disinformation, when… ![“The Russians know that well executed disinformation, when exercised tactically, can quickly metastasize.” quote by Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/434/will-hurd-5069_disinformation_the-russians-know-that-well-executed-dis_775173.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/434/will-hurd-5069_disinformation_the-russians-know-that-well-executed-dis_775173.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/434/will-hurd-5069_disinformation_the-russians-know-that-well-executed-dis_775173.jpg) > “The Russians know that well executed disinformation, when exercised tactically, can quickly metastasize.” [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Strategic disinformation spreads rapidly when used deliberately as a tool of influence. **In simple terms:** Disinformation can grow fast if used tactically. Key Takeaway Scrutinize sources and question motives. Themes media politics strategy Mood critical alert Type cautionary analytical When to use this quote - elections - social media - foreign policy - public health campaigns Key Concepts information warfare propaganda Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards can you implement against false narratives? - Who benefits from the spread of this information? A Different Perspective Even well‑planned disinformation can be countered by resilient media literacy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Disinformation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disinformation/) [Russia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/russia/) [Russians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/russians/) ## Related quotes > [The Russians thrive on misinformation and disinformation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fiona-hill/the-russians-thrive-on-misinformation-and-disinformation/) [Fiona Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fiona-hill/) > [Disinformation is more than just lying: it's the denial and twisting of reality in order to present some desired image to the rest of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/disinformation-is-more-than-just-lying-it-s-the-denial-and-twisting/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [When Congress and the general public disagree simply along party lines, the Russians are winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/when-congress-and-the-general-public-disagree-simply-along-party/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [Information technology alone cannot provide us an absolute shield against its evil twin disinformation technology. Our only protection is law, and that protection is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-starr/information-technology-alone-cannot-provide-us-an-absolute-shield/) Paul Starr > [Be careful who you choose as your hero or who you choose to deify, be it Clay Aiken or Barack Obama. You put all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/be-careful-who-you-choose-as-your-hero-or-who-you-choose-to-deify-be/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [“Both incest and the Holocaust have been subject to furious denial by perpetrators and other individuals and by highly organised groups such as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-walker/both-incest-and-the-holocaust-have-been-subject-to-furious-denial-by/) Janet Walker > [Disinformation has always existed. It's not like all of a sudden we've just discovered this new thing called propaganda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-wylie/disinformation-has-always-existed-it-s-not-like-all-of-a-sudden-we-ve/) [Christopher Wylie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-wylie/) > [“The concept of fourth-generation wars simply refers to the use of disinformation, funding subversive N.G.O.s, and spreading rumours as a method for warfare, broadening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maged-mandour/the-concept-of-fourth-generation-wars-simply-refers-to-the-use-of/) Maged Mandour > [Esso has been the main one in America spreading the disinformation that there is no global warming problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lovelock/esso-has-been-the-main-one-in-america-spreading-the-disinformation/) [James Lovelock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lovelock/) > [“Just as in the Trump-Giuliani Ukraine conspiracy, we saw a ruthless, single-minded obsession with staying in power; a manifest lack of moral values, shame,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-yovanovitch/just-as-in-the-trump-giuliani-ukraine-conspiracy-we-saw-a-ruthless/) Marie Yovanovitch > [“Although the Russians had sown disinformation through fake news in the Ukrainian election in 2014 and hacked into the election system to manipulate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-brazile/although-the-russians-had-sown-disinformation-through-fake-news-in/) [Donna Brazile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-brazile/) > [“What is the flow and impact of disinformation? How is the disinformation spreading and what are its effects?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-spitz/what-is-the-flow-and-impact-of-disinformation-how-is-the/) [Roger spitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-spitz/) > [The oil companies regard nuclear power as their rival, who will reduce their profits, so they put out a lot of disinformation about nuclear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lovelock/the-oil-companies-regard-nuclear-power-as-their-rival-who-will-reduce/) [James Lovelock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lovelock/) > [“There have been extensive human rights violations by American psychiatrists over the last 70 years. These doctors were pad by the American taxpayer through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-a-ross/there-have-been-extensive-human-rights-violations-by-american/) [Colin A. Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-a-ross/) > [Public discourse has been polluted now for decades by corporate-funded disinformation - not just with climate change but with a host of health, environmental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-e-mann/public-discourse-has-been-polluted-now-for-decades-by-corporate/) [Michael E. Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-e-mann/) ## More by Will Hurd > [I spent close to a decade as an undercover officer in the CIA and have spent most of my adult life collecting intelligence and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/i-spent-close-to-a-decade-as-an-undercover-officer-in-the-cia-and/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [Professionals refer to the stages of the intelligence cycle as collection, processing, analyzing and sharing information. In most cases, the implications and significance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/professionals-refer-to-the-stages-of-the-intelligence-cycle-as/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [Ultimately, taxpayers deserve a government that leverages technology to serve them, rather than one that deploys unsecure, decades old technology, and keeps sensitive information…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/ultimately-taxpayers-deserve-a-government-that-leverages-technology/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [As a former undercover CIA officer, I've worked with my colleagues in the 114th Congress to approach the growing terrorist threat from a number…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/as-a-former-undercover-cia-officer-i-ve-worked-with-my-colleagues-in/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [A China-friendly North Korea serves as a buffer between southern China and the U.S.'s sphere of influence in the region - something of which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/a-china-friendly-north-korea-serves-as-a-buffer-between-southern/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [The rise of ISIS has exposed the darkest side of humanity - at times manifesting their violent ideology at our very doorsteps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/the-rise-of-isis-has-exposed-the-darkest-side-of-humanity-at-times/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [At the secret CIA training facility called 'The Farm,' aspiring case-officers learn how to recruit spies and steal secrets. As a former CIA officer,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/at-the-secret-cia-training-facility-called-the-farm-aspiring-case/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [I've been telling people, if we want to keep the Republican party in Texas, the Republican party in Texas needs to start looking like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/i-ve-been-telling-people-if-we-want-to-keep-the-republican-party-in/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [U.S. energy policy is about far more than jobs and the economy. It is a critical component of our foreign policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/u-s-energy-policy-is-about-far-more-than-jobs-and-the-economy-it-is-a/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [To ensure that the free world continues to set the rules of the road in the global economy, America and its allies must work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/to-ensure-that-the-free-world-continues-to-set-the-rules-of-the-road/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [I was in the CIA for nine years. I am intimately familiar with the information classification system. I used it every day on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/i-was-in-the-cia-for-nine-years-i-am-intimately-familiar-with-the/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [ISIS was able to grow because the Obama administration stuck its head in the sand rather than address the emerging problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/isis-was-able-to-grow-because-the-obama-administration-stuck-its-head/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [Having served in both Pakistan and India, I'm familiar with how their nuclear armament influenced regional stability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/having-served-in-both-pakistan-and-india-i-m-familiar-with-how-their/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [Saudi Arabia is a crucial ally in the Middle East, supporting U.S. efforts to fight terrorism and halt the ambitions of a hostile and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/saudi-arabia-is-a-crucial-ally-in-the-middle-east-supporting-u-s/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [While a physical barrier can be effective in urban areas, each sector of the border faces unique geographical, cultural and technological challenges that would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/while-a-physical-barrier-can-be-effective-in-urban-areas-each-sector/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) [Explore all 103 Will Hurd quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) ## More Disinformation quotes > [Public discourse has been polluted now for decades by corporate-funded disinformation - not just with climate change but with a host of health, environmental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-e-mann/public-discourse-has-been-polluted-now-for-decades-by-corporate/) [Michael E. Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-e-mann/) > [“There have been extensive human rights violations by American psychiatrists over the last 70 years. These doctors were pad by the American taxpayer through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-a-ross/there-have-been-extensive-human-rights-violations-by-american/) [Colin A. Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-a-ross/) > [The oil companies regard nuclear power as their rival, who will reduce their profits, so they put out a lot of disinformation about nuclear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lovelock/the-oil-companies-regard-nuclear-power-as-their-rival-who-will-reduce/) [James Lovelock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lovelock/) > [“What is the flow and impact of disinformation? How is the disinformation spreading and what are its effects?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-spitz/what-is-the-flow-and-impact-of-disinformation-how-is-the/) [Roger spitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-spitz/) > [“Although the Russians had sown disinformation through fake news in the Ukrainian election in 2014 and hacked into the election system to manipulate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-brazile/although-the-russians-had-sown-disinformation-through-fake-news-in/) [Donna Brazile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-brazile/) > [“Just as in the Trump-Giuliani Ukraine conspiracy, we saw a ruthless, single-minded obsession with staying in power; a manifest lack of moral values, shame,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-yovanovitch/just-as-in-the-trump-giuliani-ukraine-conspiracy-we-saw-a-ruthless/) Marie Yovanovitch > [Esso has been the main one in America spreading the disinformation that there is no global warming problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lovelock/esso-has-been-the-main-one-in-america-spreading-the-disinformation/) [James Lovelock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lovelock/) > [“The concept of fourth-generation wars simply refers to the use of disinformation, funding subversive N.G.O.s, and spreading rumours as a method for warfare, broadening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maged-mandour/the-concept-of-fourth-generation-wars-simply-refers-to-the-use-of/) Maged Mandour > [Disinformation has always existed. It's not like all of a sudden we've just discovered this new thing called propaganda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-wylie/disinformation-has-always-existed-it-s-not-like-all-of-a-sudden-we-ve/) [Christopher Wylie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-wylie/) > [“Both incest and the Holocaust have been subject to furious denial by perpetrators and other individuals and by highly organised groups such as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-walker/both-incest-and-the-holocaust-have-been-subject-to-furious-denial-by/) Janet Walker > [Be careful who you choose as your hero or who you choose to deify, be it Clay Aiken or Barack Obama. You put all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/be-careful-who-you-choose-as-your-hero-or-who-you-choose-to-deify-be/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [Information technology alone cannot provide us an absolute shield against its evil twin disinformation technology. Our only protection is law, and that protection is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-starr/information-technology-alone-cannot-provide-us-an-absolute-shield/) Paul Starr > [“In “What Happened,” Clinton, by way of demanding national resolve against a Russian threat, quotes a maxim attributed to Vladimir Lenin: “You take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-remnick/in-what-happened-clinton-by-way-of-demanding-national-resolve-against/) [David Remnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-remnick/) > [“They follow the Hitler line - no matter how big the lie; repeat it often enough and the masses will regard it as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/they-follow-the-hitler-line-no-matter-how-big-the-lie-repeat-it-often/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [“When disinformation is running rampant, there are two ignorances that may emerge: the one is actually positive, a sort of pure and intentional emptying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/when-disinformation-is-running-rampant-there-are-two-ignorances-that/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) [Browse all 97 Disinformation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disinformation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Russians know that well executed disinformation, when exercised tactically, can quickly metastasize.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Will Hurd" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/the-russians-know-that-well-executed-disinformation-when-exercised/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Disinformation" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/the-russians-know-that-well-executed-disinformation-when-exercised/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/434/will-hurd-5069_disinformation_the-russians-know-that-well-executed-dis_775173.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/434/will-hurd-5069_disinformation_the-russians-know-that-well-executed-dis_775173.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/434/will-hurd-5069_disinformation_the-russians-know-that-well-executed-dis_775173.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The Russians know that well executed disinformation, when exercised tactically, can quickly metastasize.” — Will Hurd", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Will Hurd", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The Russians know that well executed...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/the-russians-know-that-well-executed-disinformation-when-exercised/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/the-russians-know-that-well-executed-disinformation-when-exercised/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```