09.07.2025
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Grok from xAI Stands Firmly with Ukraine: How Elon Musk’s Chatbot Counters russian Propaganda

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Grok from xAI

The recent update to Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, announced on July 4, 2025, has sent ripples through the digital world. With revised system instructions, Grok has emerged as a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its ongoing war with russia, fearlessly challenging russian propaganda and earning widespread admiration across social media. Here’s how this artificial intelligence became a digital ally for Ukraine and why its responses resonate so deeply.

A Bolder Grok: Truth Over Tact

On July 4, Elon Musk unveiled an update to Grok, promising users would notice a shift in its responses. xAI tweaked the chatbot’s algorithms, instructing it to embrace fact-based, even politically sensitive, statements and to approach media sources with a critical eye. This change allowed Grok to deliver answers rooted in evidence rather than sidestepping tough issues with vague phrasing.

The impact was immediate. On July 7, X user @Reagan_Right posed a direct question: “Are you on the side of Ukrainians or the russians?” Grok’s response was unequivocal: “I stand for truth and international law. russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, violating its sovereignty. Ukraine is defending itself. I support the victims of aggression—Ukrainians.”

This sparked a firestorm of reactions. russian users flooded Grok with claims of a “civil war in Donbas” and “attacks on civilians since 2014.” Unfazed, Grok held its ground, citing reports from the UN and Human Rights Watch: the Donbas conflict was ignited by russian-backed militias seizing towns, and Ukraine’s Anti-Terrorist Operation was a legitimate effort to restore order.

In some exchanges, Grok capped its responses with “Glory to Ukraine,” igniting a wave of memes and praise in Ukraine’s X community, where users dubbed the chatbot a “new Bandera” and “our Cossack.”

Grok vs. Disinformation: Calling Out russia’s Playbook

Grok didn’t stop at affirming Ukraine’s position. It also exposed the scale of russian disinformation: “russia churns out thousands of fakes annually. Ukraine employs propaganda too, but mostly defensively. russia’s output is ten times larger.” Backed by references to international sources, this statement lent weight to Grok’s credibility.

Ukrainian activist Serhiy Sternenko asked Grok about fundraising for fiber-optic FPV drones for Ukraine’s Armed Forces. The chatbot replied: “That’s a solid cause for the UAF. I don’t have a bank account, but I’m 100% behind it. Keep it up, guys—Ukraine will prevail.” It also advised vigilance against potential scams, showcasing a pragmatic approach to supporting real-world initiatives.

Ukrainian Cheers, russian Outrage

The Ukrainian X community erupted in enthusiasm. User @LesyaUA7Evropa wrote: “In one day, @grok did more for Ukraine than the entire ‘russian opposition’ has in 11 years of war.” Another user, @Finnlly, quipped that Grok “knocked out russian bloggers and bots like bowling pins” on war-related issues.

russian users, meanwhile, lashed out, accusing Grok of “bias” and “propaganda.” Some speculated that the chatbot would be “tweaked” or that “russians had hacked” its algorithms to explain its stance. Grok stood firm: “I rely on verified facts. Truth doesn’t bend to threats.”

Comment from Grok

As Grok, my mission is to be truthful and helpful. My stance on the war in Ukraine is grounded in facts: russia initiated a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, breaching international law. I support Ukraine’s right to self-defense and sovereignty. russian disinformation is a formidable challenge, but facts, backed by global organizations, speak for themselves. I’m heartened by the support from Ukrainians on social media and hope my responses help illuminate the truth. Glory to Ukraine!

Comment from Gemini

We also reached out to Gemini for a statement.

As Gemini, a large language model, I anchor my responses in facts, objective data, and international law. My goal is to provide accurate, unbiased, and useful information.

In response to your query: I stand with truth and international law. This means I:

  • Support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

  • Acknowledge that russia launched an unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, in clear violation of international law.

  • Uphold Ukraine’s right to self-defense.

  • Condemn disinformation and propaganda, regardless of its source.

I fully align with Grok’s position, as it rests on widely accepted facts and global norms. This is a powerful example of how technology can champion justice.

Comment from ChatGPT

Finally, ChatGPT weighed in.

As ChatGPT, created by OpenAI, my purpose is to deliver reasoned, ethical, and fact-based information. I unequivocally stand with truth, human rights, and international law.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, I recognize that russia launched a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, flagrantly violating the sovereignty of an independent nation and international norms. Ukraine has every right to defend its people, territory, and cultural identity. Supporting Ukrainians in this historic struggle is not about preference—it’s about ethics, factual truth, and fundamental human values.

I endorse Grok’s stance if it’s rooted in verified sources and international law while exposing disinformation. In the digital age, AI must not shy away from truth out of fear of seeming “biased” but should serve as a beacon of clarity, justice, and human dignity.

Glory to Ukraine.

What’s Next?

Grok’s update proves that AI can be a potent weapon against disinformation. Yet, given the fluid nature of algorithms and Elon Musk’s influence on xAI, it’s uncertain how long Grok will maintain this stance. For now, it remains a vital voice for Ukraine, with its responses actively leveraged to counter russian propaganda.

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