Russian misinformation in east Europe – from 25 to 31 July 2022. Report

fakenews.pl 2 years ago

Russian disinformation constantly spreads false information and fights for a government of souls of social media users. The subject of this study is the individual narratives spread in the Baltic countries (in Russian), Bulgaria, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine.The study summarises the work of a twelve organisations associated with Open Information Partnership (including our website) between 25 and 31 July 2022.

Just like in previous report respective axes around which false pro-Russian communicative is conducted can be distinguished. These are:

events related to the war,
the situation of a Russian national number in different countries,
Ukrainian refugees and their position in different countries,
the consequences of economical sanctions on Russia,
military threat to Central Europe,
consequences of widely understood military support of Ukraine.

The key false narratives were accompanied by hyperlinks directing the reader to the respective pages. The key means specified articles and entries, which generated a crucial number of interactions understood as comments, likes and makes available.

Russian disinformation in the Baltic States: the energy crisis and the Russophobia of the West and the Baltic States

Russian misinformation during the period under discussion addressed topics related to the impact of sanctions on the well-being of residents of the Baltic States and indicating the alleged russphobia of citizens of the global West. They began to gain narrations proving Ukraine's failure on the front.

Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic are part of Russia

The presence of narratives indicating that separatist republics in Donbasa is part of Russia – both culturally and economically. According to Russian disinformationists, this is evidenced by:

a peculiar way moving through which supplies are to be delivered to Mariupola,
the debate of the Russian Duma on the future of separatist republics, which stated that these state organisms cannot be part of Ukraine.

narrations proceed to be accusing the Ukrainian army of shelling civilian objects in the alleged Donetsk People's Republic. Attempts were besides noted to legitimize and justify the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russian propaganda is trying to prove that the intent of the “special operation” is to defend the alleged folk republics in Donbasa, not attack Ukrainian citizens.

Is Stepan Bandera's desecrated grave indicative of Germany's reluctance to refugees?

Pro-Russian narrators tried to prove the increasing reluctance of Germans to refugees from Ukraine. In their opinion, Stepan Bandera's grave in Munich is to be desecrated.

Western sanctions are killing the economy, and the energy crisis is spreading over Europe

Russian disinformation on economical sanctions underlines that the Ukrainian economy is suffering precisely due to the restrictions imposed on Russia. An example, which are utilized by disinformation channels to make their communicative credible, is the termination of the agreement to supply 240 000 tonnes of Ukrainian grain by Egypt. Attempts have besides been made to build narratives that make fear of the energy crisis in Europe. According to these narratives, countries should be prepared for the worst scenario, which will be the complete cessation of gas supply from Russia.

Allegedly Russia and Belarus have already decided to break the economical ties between them and the West. This will make these countries stronger and the European Union will gotta limit and reduce gas consumption. Russian disinformation is trying to point out that the origin of rampant inflation and the energy crisis is an irresponsible Western policy. It is alleged that this is why the Latvian gas company has taken out loans for gas and, worse, it is inactive unclear whether the European Union will find alternate sources to replace Russian gas.

Pro-Russian narrators are trying at all costs to point out any evidence that is to attest to the alleged secret trade of the West with Russia. The Latvians resumed buying gas from Russia, and the Estonians carry goods across the border with Russia. Russian tour operators are to usage the beginning of the land border with Estonia and Finland.

Pro-Russian disinformation narratives are trying to prove that the Russian economy was not affected by sanctions. The Rubel is expected to grow and gain value, and the European Union has allegedly utilized up all the sanctions that can be imposed.

The alleged russophobia in the Baltic States

Russian disinformation makes all effort to prove that there are notorious attacks on Russian culture and citizens of Russia. Allegedly, they argue:

a prohibition issued by the Estonian authorities on the non-issue of visas and residence permits for citizens of Russia and Belarus,
recognition by the United States legislature of Russia as a state of "sponsoring terrorism".
Unfriendly behaviour of Latvian borderers towards Russian citizens.

Other narratives

Russian disinformation indicates that the Russian peace mission in Transnistria is under constant political pressure. In addition, the Chisinau continues to attack and intensify aggressive behaviour towards Russia by pointing to Russia as an aggressor.

Russian Disinformation in Bulgaria: The West runs out of weapons and Russia needs to be negotiated

The subjects most frequently addressed by prokremlian media concern economical sanctions and the "neutral" attitude of Hungary. Investigators of Bulgarian media noted the return of narratives to prove the strength of the Russian army and its inevitable triumph in the war, as well as the consequences of taking the "bad side" in the war. They besides foresee an increase in Russian propaganda activity as a consequence of the dissolution of the parliament by the president of Bulgaria and the announcement of accelerated elections.

Russian disinformation emphasizes that the West is moving out of weapons

On 1 side, an article was published that proves that the West encouraged Ukraine to engage in military conflict with Russia. In return, Ukraine was promised to supply arms. any states (Netherlands, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom) have allegedly announced that they are moving out of weapons due to deliveries to Ukraine and will be forced to recover the weapons they have sent.

The sanctions have made Russia powerful

Russian manager Nikita Mihalkov stated that the Ukrainian state is in a permanent state of bankruptcy and remains dependent on Western aid. He besides stated that Ukraine is simply a weapon in Western hands.

The author of the following article points out that sanctions have made Putin and Russia more powerful than before, and that the decision to impose anti-Russian sanctions is considered the worst mistake in modern history.

Another article focuses on the individual of Prime Minister of Hungary. The author of the text tries to prove that Viktor Orban predicted unwanted effects of sanctions and tried to defend his country's economy from them. Thanks to the actions of the head of government, Hungary is allegedly the only country whose economy did not endure from sanctions imposed on Russia.

Russian misinformation threatens with RS-28 Sarmat missiles, and the only way to get out of the crisis is to negociate with Russia

An old communicative about the effectiveness of RS-28 Sarmat missiles appeared on the web platform launched in 2016.

The leader of the pro-Russian Renaissance organization is pushing 1 of the main lines of communicative of his group. In his opinion, the only way out of the crisis is through negotiations with Russia.

Russian Disinformation in the Czech Republic: Ukraine killed prisoners in Oleniwka

Russian disinformation focused during this period on issues related to the deaths of prisoners of the "Azov" regiment. He besides stresses that Ukraine is losing the war, and Russia's triumph is inevitable. The Russian Federation is to receive not only military but besides political and economical victory. A full fresh communicative was besides detected to reassure the audience that Russia would win the war. These entries are accompanied by recording large shipments of military equipment.

Media control, propaganda and Russia's inevitable victory

W The Czech Republic besides has a communicative about media control by state services that make propaganda. According to pro-Russian narrators, both sides lie. The intent of this action is to make uncertainty and a sense of inability to find reliable sources of information.

The communicative of Ukraine's failure and Russia's triumph inactive dominates. However, it is worth noting that in this case, disinformationists began to put force on extra-military aspects of war. At the same time, the communicative of Russia's triumph seems to be more common than the 1 about Ukraine's loss. This may be due to widespread information about the success of the Ukrainian army.

The number of narratives accusing Ukrainian soldiers of shelling civilian objects has increased. This seems to have something to do with the death of the prisoners of war from the “Azov” regiment. The Ukrainians, who allegedly shot up a prisoner of war camp, are liable for their deaths – according to Russia. besides present is disinformation accusing the West of forcing and provoking Russia to attack Ukraine and the Ukrainian army of war crimes.

Ineffective sanctions and Czech tanking cars at Russian fuel stations

Russian misinformation continues to prove the ineffectiveness of sanctions and their negative impact on the economy of the West. According to the disinformation channels, the communicative (apparently fabricated) about the Czech Republic filling its cars on Russian gas stations is in favour. The citizens of this country are allegedly solidarity with the Russians and object to sanctions.

Russian disinformation indicates that Ukraine oppresses Russian-speaking citizens

For the first time since the beginning of the war, the Czech media space has found narratives concerning the oppression of the Russian-speaking population. It is linked to Putin's decree, which allowed Ukrainians to receive Russian citizenship. Those who have received the nationality of this country are to be persecuted and Ukraine commits a crime against its own people. Part of this communicative is true, the another is not. However, those receiving Russian citizenship are considered traitors and collaborators, but the Ukrainian State does not persecute specified persons in a systemic way.

Nuclear Scarf is ineffective

There are inactive attempts at atomic blackmail. However, it should be noted that narratives containing this component are losing their popularity. This may be due to the double voice he had among disinformationists. any say that Russia can usage atomic weapons and thus prove its strength. Others say Putin's usage of atomic weapons will be the last hotel for Russia.

There are inactive attempts to push disinformation about Western military aid. However, there are no fresh narratives in this thread. However, the news is that the communicative of the prolonged war by providing military support has penetrated mainstream media.

Other narratives

A unusual communicative was besides observed, which seeks to combine the war in Ukraine with the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccinations. global pharmaceutical corporations allegedly lobby for deficiency of peace in Ukraine and are reluctant to possible negotiations.

Russian disinformation in Estonia: refugees, rising energy costs and russian monuments

The focus of Russian misinformation was on the influx of refugees, rising gas prices and the fight against russian cultural heritage.

Attempts to discredit refugees

Russian voices spreading misinformation claim that Estonia has problems with accommodation for refugees from Ukraine. You can see attempts to discredit Ukrainian visitors. Russian-speaking Ukrainians allegedly arrive in Estonia who want to stay in the country permanently and are not patriots. Russian disinformation underlines that Ukrainian patriots returned to their homeland after the Russian offensive fiasco in Kiev.

Pro-Russian voices accuse Estonia of facilitating trafficking in human beings. erstwhile accepting refugees, the authorities of this country are liable for expanding prostitution among Ukrainian women and expanding HIV infection.

Ineffective sanctions

Pro-Russian propaganda in Estonia continues to present sanctions as ineffective. They are expected to have a negative impact on the economy of Estonia.

War is part of a conspiracy towards a global reset

The war in Ukraine is portrayed by disinformation channels as a conspiracy. According to these narratives, Ukraine has become a investigation ground for technological corporations. In addition, war is allegedly part of a global conspiracy for global reset.

Ukrainian authorities are presented as troubled. Supposedly, they fasten the “ukrainophobes” patch to anyone who has an objection to them.

Russian Disinformation in Georgia: The West will open a second front in the war on Russia

In the Georgian media space, the most popular subject to which pro-Russian political opposition reaches is alleged attempts by the West to open a second front in Georgia against Russia.

The war was caused by Ukraine’s “aspirations”

On the net tv Alt Info published recordings containing pro-Russian narratives. According to a guest of 1 of the programs, the origin of the war is Ukrainian efforts to join NATO, which posed an alleged threat to Russia.

There are besides narratives about Ukraine's upcoming loss. Attacked already the next winter will see that Ukraine is lost. The pro-Russian expert, on the another hand, stated that Russia is successful in a “special military operation” and will end in 30 days.

On air, the mentioned station stated that the Ukrainian authorities were liable for bringing their state into war with Russia. Moreover, they did so at the orders of Western politicians.

Sanctions, prolonged war and economical troubles of the West

Pro-Russian media push a communicative saying that the Russian economy did not endure from sanctions. Western countries have entered a hard economical period through prolonged war. On the air of this net television, a communicative about the harm that the sanctions imposed on Russia origin to the economy of the West was spread. This is alleged by Germany's request to Canada to supply a repaired turbine despite sanctions.

The West intends to drag Georgia into war and open a second front in the fight against Russia

Researchers noted on social media narratives accusing the US Ambassador to Georgia of trying to lobby for beginning a second front in Georgia against Russia. On air, another tv was called upon to boycott these intentions and argue the imperialist plans of the United States and the European Union.

Other narratives

Pro-Russian canals mark the close fall of NATO. This communicative is based on a false message in which Donald Trump stated that he would not defend the associate States of the Pact assaulted by Russia.

Another pro-Russian tv broadcast saw a communicative prompting Georgia's neutrality. Taking specified a course in global politics would prevent the state from beginning the second front and drawing into the war pursued by Western politicians. Georgia has been portrayed as controlled by the West, which tightens its tentacles on it and plans to exert an expanding influence on it.

Russian Disinformation in Hungary: Russia wins war and Hungary will be rewarded

Russian disinformation has given the most attention to issues proving Russian victory. It is worth noting the communicative of possible Ukrainian territories which would receive Hungary after the defeat of Ukraine.

Russian disinformation tempts Hungarians with the imagination of partitioning Ukraine and tries to discredit allies

Russian propaganda quotes Dmitri Medvedev's words, in which Hungary promises territorial acquisitions after the conquest of Ukraine. He besides takes the words of various politicians out of the context and presents them in specified a way as to show the defeat of Ukraine.

Pro-Russian parties present information about the damaged Western equipment as reliable facts.

The Pro-Russian article depicts Ukrainians as Nazis. Post in social media accuses Polish Prime Minister of Nazi sympathy due to proukrainian actions of Polish authorities. At the same time, this entry announces the end of Polish-Hungarian relationship due to Poland's support of “Ukrainian Nazis”.

Russian propaganda presents volunteers fighting in the global Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine as mercenaries. The occasion for this communicative is the death of respective of them.

Memes and sanctions and the energy crisis

There are memes on social media that talk of failed sanctions. In 1 article, Ursula Von der Leyen was taken from the context. The politician was to declare that Russia would sooner or later halt gas deliveries to Europe. In the context of the energy crisis, there was a recording in which Western citizens are invited to Russia to live in warm housing. The West was besides accused of causing an energy crisis and attempting to bargain a turbine from the pipeline.

Military aid delivered by the West is useless scrap

Pro-Russian propaganda presents Western military aid as useless. Propagandists usage an article published in “Der Spiegel” to make this communicative credible, according to which all German self-propelled Haubicombs of PzH 2000 after a period of operation are unfit.

Social media besides stated that military aid prolongs the war and causes suffering.

Other narratives

Russia and its allies are portrayed as strong and invincible. As part of this narrative, Ramzan Kadyrov was portrayed as the most powerful and dangerous man in the world. The authors of respective articles tried to ridicule Volodymyr Zelenski's statement, in which he stated that Ukraine would become 1 of the most developed countries in the world.

One article presents Vladimir Putin's 2014 speech as a fresh one. The Hungarian activist in his article, on the another hand, stated that Europe is falling apart and that Hungary must search fresh allies in the East.

The following article exaggerates the number of protesters and the strength of the protest against the German national Minister of Economy in Bayreuth. respective more articles attempted to slander Zelenski and represent him as stupid. It is worth noting that attempts to ridicule the president of Ukraine have been combined with another typical narratives.

Russian Disinformation in Latvia: government helps Ukrainians besides much and does not solve citizens' problems

Researchers have discovered as before a fewer misinformation in Latvian. The propaganda channels focused on showing refugees in a negative light, the impact of sanctions on the European economy and the discrediting of Ukraine's assistance.

Refugees receive besides much help

Russian disinformation in Latvia presents Ukrainian refugees as ungrateful. 1 populist activist stated that Ukrainian refugees they get besides much help. He besides stated that the Latvian government should address the problems of its own citizens.

The United States and the European Union are liable for the crisis

Russian propaganda presents the policies of the United States and the European Union as the main origin of rising inflation in them. The sanctions, on the another hand, show that Europe is ineffective and that it is driving Europe into the economical crisis.

Aid does not go to Ukraine

The entry on social media has been accused that the money allocated to aid Ukraine goes to certain political forces in the country.

Other narratives

One of the social media accounts released a video containing a fragment of the Turkish news channel. The video explains how the United States funds alleged secret biological laboratories.

Russian disinformation in Lithuania: War is fiction

Two recordings appeared in which the fact of the war was questioned. The first stated that the war was not fought, but it was the oligarchs who fight among themselves. The second movie defines war as having no place due to the fact that it was not spoken, and Ukraine continues to trade with Russia and did not break diplomatic relations with the aggressor.

Ukrainian army shot up a prisoner of war camp

There were besides 2 cases of misinformation related to the firing of the POW camp in Oleniwa. In the first case, the author of disinformation content stated that Ukrainians fired on the camp with the aid of multi-guided HIMARS rocket launchers to silence Ukrainian POWs making incriminating Kiev testimony. The second creator of disinformation repeats all the above arguments.

In addition, there is an article in which Zelenski is portrayed as a bloody dictator. It besides states that human rights are not respected in Ukraine, where citizens are persecuted due to their views.

A social media user stated in his pro-Russian entry that all Russian war crimes (such as Bucha or the bombing of the theatre in Mariupolu) were not facts. Russian disinformation depicts Ukrainian soldiers as Nazis and criminals murdering Russians in captivity. The West has been accused of causing a global food crisis, as Russian ships cannot swim freely in any waters.

The ban on Russian propaganda is tantamount to attacking Russian culture

Russian disinformation underlines that expressing an opinion on the introduction of a ban on Russian propaganda is tantamount to attacking Russian culture.

Lithuania escalates tension

Several entries have appeared in the Lithuanian net space accusing Lithuania of sedating the conflict. 1 author alleged that specified intentions were evidenced by the expansion of the military reserve. The second indicated that due to the policy of the Lithuanian government the war in this country could start at any time. Another author of disinformation stated that Lithuania, supporting Ukraine, besides supports the war. An example of specified support was the honours which the president of Lithuania gave Zelenski.

Military aid contributes to further deaths

On Lithuanian social media, a screenshot of another user's comment was made available, stating that backing military aid contributes to further deaths and does not lead to a peaceful end to the conflict.

Other narratives

Several entries stated that aid to Ukraine deficiency financial transparency. 1 of the celebrated Lithuanian activists was accused of embezzlement of the money collected in the collections. Western media were accused of spreading lies about war. These media are to feature wishful thinking, which they present as reliable information from Ukraine.

One of the entries quotes Noam Chomsky. The philosopher stated that the United States is simply a totalitarian state in which pro-Russian propaganda channels are banned, and anyone who expresses pro-Russian views is “demonized”. Another entry accused the Lithuanian government of utilizing war as an excuse for robbing its citizens.

Pro-Russian disinformation presents Ukrainian authorities in a negative light. She described the photograph session of Volodymyr Zelenski and his wife for the magazine “Vouge” as immoral due to the fact that war is going on. The West was besides accused of attempting to ideologically colonize Ukraine.

NATO will not defend Lithuania. NATO Air Police mission personnel were presented as a gathering of drunkards who would not defend Lithuanian airspace.

Russian disinformation depicts the war in Ukraine as part of various plots. According to 1 of them, the war was to prevent Ukraine from becoming a planet leader in hydrogen exports in Europe. Another author stated that the war in Ukraine was provoked to unleash an energy crisis that would let "green" funds to buy out fuel companies.

Russian Disinformation in North Macedonia: The War Will Spread Outside Ukraine

Pro-Russian disinformation channels focused on pushing narratives pointing to Ukraine's imminent defeat on the front and portraying the West as utilizing Ukraine to fight Russia. In terms of interaction, the most popular were narratives on the hazard of a conflict spreading beyond Ukraine's borders.

Statements by Russian politicians

In Latvia, the information space was quoted richly by Russian abroad Minister during his visits to 4 African countries. Jurov accused the West of causing a global food crisis. The European Union's environmental policy and its food accumulation during the pandemic are to be liable for this state.

The answer of the Russian Ministry of abroad Affairs to the words of the abroad Minister of Germany, that Lavrow acknowledged that Russia was striving to subjugate the full of Ukraine is an effort to strengthen the communicative of Ukrainian slavery. According to Zacharova, Russia is trying to free Ukraine from its slave relations with the West.

A post on Telegram by Dmitri Medvedev was besides presented in the media space of Macedonia. The erstwhile Russian president presented a map divided between Ukrainian neighbours.

The fresh russian Union will rise

Many articles besides cited the message of the Russian defence minister, who stated that a fresh russian Union would be established.

Apty Alaudinov, a comparative of the Chechnya leader, in a nearly 10-minute message repeated many of the typical procremlowian narratives to build a image of powerful Russia and the impending defeat of the West.

Western weapons hit the black market

A spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of abroad Affairs stated that the weapons supplied by Ukraine by the West scope the black marketplace and into the hands of criminals. In her opinion, Europe may endure for this in the future, as weapons can be utilized by terrorists and criminals in Europe.

Other narratives

Maria Zacharova referred to the message by Volodymyr Zelenski, in which he emphasized that it was Ukraine that was the rightful heiress of the heritage of Rusi Kiev. A spokeswoman of the Russian Ministry of abroad Affairs has sarcastically stated that Ukrainian authorities are planting.

Russian disinformation in Poland: crackling historical conflicts between Poles and Ukrainians

In connection with the anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising, the Pro-Russian disinformationists force all narratives designed to fuel hatred against the historical background between Poles and Ukrainians. They match the Ukrainians' participation in suppressing the Warsaw Uprising. There is inactive a communicative relating to the Volyn massacre.

Poland will absorb Ukraine

On 1 of the pro-Russian channels on the Telegram there was an entry saying that Poland and Ukraine have signed an agreement and They will make 1 country. On another channel, an entry containing a false photograph of the Polish diary was published on Telegram, in which it was written that Zelenski wanted to surrender Ukraine to Poland.

An article was besides made available stating that Ukrainian services blackmail Polish politicians photos from public houses. The author of the article states that this is the real reason for the favorable actions of the Polish authorities towards Ukraine.

There was a accusing communicative on respective Pro-Russian channels on the Telegram Ukraine Killing your own soldiers. Supposedly 1 of the prisoners held in the camp was to present incriminating evidence to the authorities in Kiev. That's why Ukraine was expected to fire on the POW camp.

Grzegorz Braun asked about the anticipation of cutting Ukraine by the leader with him interview stated that Ukraine is losing the war and its demolition is inevitable.

Refugees are privileged and wanted

Grzegorz Braun in the same interview promoted the task "Stop the Ukrainianization of Poland" and stated that Ukrainians are displaced people who want to introduce the Ukrainian organization to the Polish parliament.

According to the author of 1 of the pro-Russian and right-wing portals, Ukrainians request establishing your language with the second authoritative language in the Polish State.

Ukrainian refugees are to be prioritised by the authorities. In Kraków thousands of children did not get into advanced schools due to the fact that their seats were allegedly occupied by young people from Ukraine.

Another right-wing author states that the Roma from Ukraine usage the war to fraud of social benefits in Poland. They are then to return to Ukraine and proceed to collect benefits.

Poland disarmed by sending arms to Ukraine

According to another right-wing author Poland disarmed its armed forces. She was to do so by sending tanks and aircraft fighting Ukraine.

Other narratives

Many entries In social media, the Volyn Remember Foundation reminds of the Volyn massacre and crimes allegedly committed by Ukrainians during the Warsaw Uprising.

Several posts on the Telegram suggested that The war in Ukraine is part of a globalist plan. Moreover, the above-mentioned foundation referred to Action “Wisła”. The entry on social media stated that there is simply a strong 5th column in Poland that will work against Poland. These forces are expected to act with the Polish prosecutor's office and accuse all those who tell the fact of the Volyn massacre of speech of hatred.

Moreover, the fact that president Andrzej Duda was criticised tweeted in Ukrainian.

Russian disinformation in Slovakia: anti-Russian sanctions and attacks on European Union policy

Russian disinformation is most likely to address anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the West and their negative impact on its economy. The pro-Russian political opposition in Slovakia uses these narratives to attack the ruling organization and criticize any decision made by the United States and the European Union.

Russia frees Ukraine and wins the war

On 1 of the social media sites, the words of Sergei Lavrov were quoted, in which he stated that Russia was liberating Ukraine.

A group of opposition politicians in social media pushed a communicative in which they claimed that the war in Ukraine was in fact the war of the United States with Russia.

Russian disinformation actively accuses the Ukrainian army of shelling civilian objects. In Slovenia, a video of the protest against Ukrainians killing children was presented on social media to make the communicative line credible.

According to propaganda, Russia wins the war. In support of this thesis, they published entries in which they claim that Russian trains filled with weapons are heading towards Ukraine.

A recording of Ukrainian soldiers dancing at school was published to justify the shooting of civilian objects. Ukrainian soldiers proceed to represent propaganda as Nazis.

Penalties affect western economies

Pro-Russian channels besides published all kinds of entries about negative effects on Western economies caused by anti-Russian sanctions imposed by these countries. This communicative was primarily utilized for attacks on the policies of the European Union and the United States.

Other narratives

In respective entries, pro-Russian narrators besides tried to convince their audiences that the European Union actually governs Slovakia. This communicative aims to make anti-EU sentiments. Subsequent entries, this time on social media, presented the European Union as being controlled by the US. The United States is allegedly expected to influence the elections in the Union and has besides forced it to impose sanctions on Russia.

Pro-Russian Slovak politician stated in social media that the space for the peaceful expansion of the West in the form of NATO had just ended. In his opinion, the expansion of the West has now entered the armed phase.

Western media are being accused of lying. Information services allegedly conceal the fact about Russia's upcoming triumph in the war. The European Union has been accused of hypocrisy over the choice of Azerbaijan as a gas supplier. Propagandists emphasise that this country is no better than Russia in terms of respect for human rights and another democratic values.

Russian disinformation in Ukraine: Your country is fiction and power cannot be trusted

Russian propaganda has focused its efforts on spreading narratives trying to prove that Ukraine is simply a fictional state and to incite resentment and distrust of the authorities. There are besides attempts to discredit military aid provided by the West, as well as its accusations of deliberately prolonging the war.

Ukraine loses the war, and the chief resigns

Pro-Russian channels are trying to push a communicative proving that Ukraine is losing the war. The expected chief of the Ukrainian army is to resign for this reason. The office of the president of Ukraine and the West are dissatisfied with the Ukrainian war effort. The tension around Taiwan is besides intended to overshadow the Ukrainian problem.

Pro-Russian narrators effort to justify the crimes of the Russian army, and even state that they are entirely fabricated.

There are expected to be tensions in relations between Ukraine and Western countries. The fact of Eurovision has been utilized to make this communicative credible. The fact that the festival will be held in the UK in 2023 is to attest to the abandonment of Ukraine by the West. At the same time, the countries of the global West are to lose interest in the Ukrainian issue in the autumn, as they will be occupied by the energy and food crisis.

Russian disinformation is trying to show the Ukrainian army in a negative light. She blames her for shelling the prisoner of war camp in Oleniwa and torturing soldiers. These actions are intended to incite hatred of the Russians and accuse them of war crimes. At the same time there is simply a communicative stating that even the West does not believe in the Ukrainian version of events.

The West allegedly attempts to exert force on the Ukrainian Ministry of wellness and urge them to introduce restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. This communicative is to prove that Ukraine is controlled by the West. Indirectly, it besides suggests that the West controls Ukraine in war.

In addition, many entries are present utilizing the following narratives:

Ukrainians are Nazis,
Poland will take Ukraine,
Ukrainians welcome Russians as liberators,
Russia does not full fight its forces and capabilities.

Sanctions and the energy crisis will change Western rhetoric

There have been many entries that propose that the economies of Western states are suffering from sanctions imposed on Russia. The West will gotta save money to survive. At the same time, Russian propaganda states that Russia will benefit from rising gas prices and the West will suffer. This will lead to a change in the rhetoric of European politicians and their approach to the Ukrainian crisis.

Rusophobia and attacks on Russian heritage

The Ukrainians are supposedly planning to replace russian monuments with monuments presenting members of the CNS and UPA. According to the author of the entry on the Pro-Russian Telegram channel, this is an attack on Russian heritage. The next step in the fight against Russian culture will be to ban the usage of Russian language and to falsify history.

Attempts to discredit Western military aid

Western military aid and its discredit stay 1 of the main objectives of Russian propaganda and disinformation activities. The West is to be tired of providing assistance to Ukraine and even sabotage its own ventures in this matter. For this reason, Zelenski is to declare the defeat of Ukraine in the war in September. European citizens are to be tired of war and not support politicians who support Ukraine.

Russian disinformation emphasizes that western weapons are entering the black market. These reports come from Western citizens who are not to be afraid to say "truth". The Pro-Russian channel on the Telegram besides uses news of German-delivered weapons to accuse this country of deliberately prolonging the war.

Other narratives

Broad action is besides being taken to discredit Ukrainian authorities. The President's office allegedly dismisses officials who do not want to follow illegal orders. However, the heating period in Ukraine can be hard by slowing down the authorities in Kiev. At the same time, the government has not allocated the budget to heating Donbass. This shows that this region has been given to the Russians. There were besides many narratives accusing Ukrainian politicians of fleeing the country.

Summary

Russian communicative continues to keep its typical rhetoric of a besieged fortress, accusing Ukraine and the West of provoking an armed conflict. The Ukrainian aspirations to join NATO were to provoke Russia to attack. The North Atlantic Pact is besides presented as an expansive threat. In this context, Russia presents itself as a victim of aggression, which it effectively rejects, bearing an alleged success on the front.

The Hungarian and Macedonian information space was utilized to convey the words of Russian officials by disinformationists. Thanks to this, they make a image of the Russian authorities as an ideological monolith with a coherent transmission.

Pro-Russian narratives – summary

The media space of many countries has dominated narratives based on:

energy blackmail,
discrediting aid provided by the West,
discrediting Ukraine's war effort and presenting Russia as the actual winner in the war,
showing sanctions as ineffective and striking Western economies,
attempts to discredit European Union policies and pro-Western attitudes.

Attempts of atomic blackmail during this period have been noted only in the media space of the Czech Republic. This communicative does not seem to have had the effects expected by disinformationists. At the same time, it should be noted that these narratives can intertwin. Thus, for example, the West has caused a food crisis by imposing "ineffective sanctions" on Russia. besides due to the sanctions imposed on Russia by the West, inflation is raging and energy and gas prices are rising. At the same time, according to propaganda messages, Russia shows its economy as indestructible and even reinforced by imposed sanctions.

It is besides worth noting 1 aspect of the current conflict which seems to be overlooked in the broad debate. The discussion is about which countries – Ukraine or Russia – are the rightful heirs of the heritage of Rusi Kiev. The discussion on this subject was intensified after an essay written by Vladimir Putin appeared on July 12, 2021. This subject was noticed – it seems – for the first time in pro-Russian narratives after the aggression against Ukraine.

Notable, although highly harsh in their method, are attempts to accuse the Ukrainian army of shelling civilian objects. These actions are intended to discredit Ukrainian soldiers and whitewash Russian. Russian disinformation uses a simple method and average accusations the Ukrainian side. It is allegedly Ukrainian missiles that hit civilian objects, and Ukraine accuses the Russian army of specified actions. The Russian side continues to conduct disinformation activities on the basis of a claim that all reports of Russian soldiers' crimes are lies and part of the information war waged by the West.

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