Russian misinformation in east Europe – from 11 to 17 July 2022. Report

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 organizations associated with Open Information Partnership (including our website) between 11 and 17 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 countries: evidence advanced gas and oil prices and upcoming recession

The Russian propaganda channels focused during this period on highlighting the consequences of imposing sanctions on Russia. They presented gas and oil prices in Lithuania, Estonia and Western countries as evidence high. In their opinion, it is Lithuania and Estonia that will be the first countries of the European Union to become recession. On the another hand, due to the alleged continued blockade of the Kaliningrad region, they are to endure Germany and truck drivers.

With little strength than previously in propaganda messages, there were narratives accusing Ukrainian soldiers of attack civilian objects. Instead, information about Ukraine's impending failure and the fatigue of defenders conducted by actions was reported more frequently. Focused on alleged declining interest in Western states to proceed providing assistance and face Moscow.

Pro-Russian narrators besides emphasized the facts of the attacks on Russian culture. They accused Latvians of sacrificing besides much money to disassemble russian monuments and stated that politicians in the Baltic countries were deliberately fueling rusophobic moods.

Attempts to discredit Ukrainian army and refugees

Pro-Russian parties with respect to any war-related events stressed the participation of “the mercenaries” in the fighting. In order to make this communicative credible, they utilized examples of killed volunteers from the global Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine, whose Russian propaganda portrayed as mercenaries.

Russian disinformation continued to item tensions between the West and Ukraine. In order to make his message credible, he pointed to accusations which 1 of Volodymyr Zelenski's advisors addressed to Germany. respective articles accused the Ukrainian army of shelling civilian objects in the alleged Donetsk People's Republic. Pro-Russian channels tried to item the fact of decreasing interest in providing Ukraine with all assistance. 2 examples have been utilized to make this message credible:

• The European Union withdrew from the blockade of Kaliningrad as it did not have a good impact on the economy of the associate States;
• The European Union suspends the supply of aid to Ukraine due to the energy crisis.

In order to match the communicative about the failure of Ukraine, immense individual and territorial losses on the Ukrainian side are highlighted. At the same time, Russian propaganda attempts to represent the West as a organization utilizing Ukraine to fight Russia. In this context, Russia's actions are presented as an chance to grow east for the North Atlantic Pact, which would pose a threat to Russian security; sanctions are intended to hit average Russians.

Russian disinformation continues to present Ukrainians as Nazis. To this end, Ukrainian anti-Semitism and attacks on Jews of 1941 are recalled.

Refugees were accused of violating the stableness of host countries in the region. Lithuania and Latvia are not to have adequate resources to cover the cost of surviving of Ukrainian refugees.

Ineffective anti-Russian sanctions and incentives to stay neutral

narrations are being conducted with respect to sanctions, which item the discontent of citizens caused by Anti-Russian sanctionswhich led to advanced oil and gas prices. Pro-Russian narrators stress that any European politicians consider sanctions useless. They besides item the alleged economical growth in Russia and the strengthening of ruble despite the sanctions imposed on Russia.

It is worth noting the communicative encouraging neutrality to avoid being drawn into war. The message of 1 of the Duma's deputies, in which he criticised Moldova and Lithuania's aggressive attitude, is an perfect example of this.

Russian disinformation in Bulgaria: the Bulgarian state will fall without Russia and stands on the incorrect side of the conflict

Russian propaganda as before attempted to introduce a strong anti-Western position in connection with the Russian-Ukrainian war. She stressed that Bulgaria had chosen the incorrect side and agreed to be a puppet of Western countries. Taking specified a course by the Bulgarian authorities is intended to lead to a complete collapse of a state without the support of its erstwhile ally as Russia. This communicative was utilized to criticize the government and say that early elections were needed in the country.

With respect to sanctions, pro-Russian narrators highlight the failure of isolation attempts and stopping Russia due to the fact that countries outside Western influences united with Vladimir Putin. The weakening of the euro, in their view, is expected to show that sanctions have failed, and Russia is about to refuse to deliver adequate gas to Western countries, which is expected to consequence in request for fresh Russian gas supplies in the future.

Russian misinformation “informed” about alleged Western plans to attack Russia through Belarus. Alexander Lukashenko stated that the West is striving for a global conflict, so armies must stay ready.

The Russian disinformation run contributes to creating a negative image of the Bulgarian government. In propaganda messages of this kind, the view that sanctions will lead to the collapse of Sofia authorities. The aim is to bring about the collapse of the current coalition and early elections. These procedures are intended to consequence in a better representation of pro-Russian parties in the parliament. In addition, Russian disinformators state that Bulgaria is governed by the “proxies” on the services of the West. Nor is it amazing to effort to convince the audience that Russia is winning the war.

Russian disinformation in the Czech Republic: it was the West that provoked Russia to attack

Pro-Russian disinformation platforms focused during this period on the events of the Russian-Ukrainian War. Blame the West to provoke Russia to attack the Ukrainian state. They besides cited UN reports which were utilized to bring out Accusations of the usage of civilians as live shields by Ukrainian soldiers. There were besides typical pro-Russian narratives that reported:

• about the defeat of Ukraine,
• Nazi views and practices of its citizens,
• participation in the fighting on the Ukrainian side of abroad ‘entrepreneurs’, intelligence agents and operators of peculiar forces of abroad powers.

Russian disinformation in our confederate neighbours besides tries to push the thesis about attempt to annex Ukraine's territory by Poland.

Attempting to blackmail the energy, building a belief in the Russianness of Ukraine

Pro-Russian channels are besides trying to build a communicative around energy safety issues. They stress that the consequence for Western countries for imposing sanctions will be the energy and food crisis. They effort to mark them destructive Impact on average citizens and their farms, as well as building a belief in deadly serious energy consequences further anti-Russian economical sanctions. They would affect the global energy market.

In connection with the Russian decree which allows Ukrainians to get Russian citizenship, disinformation activities were conducted. The communicative that was built around this issue sought create a conviction of the impending collapse of Ukrainian statehood caused by the Ukrainians' mass efforts for Russian citizenship.

Military aid prolongs the war and exacerbates the global food crisis

Military aid to Ukraine is presented in the Czech information space by Russian propaganda as weakening the military possible of the states giving it. It is worth noting at this point that the narratives about military and economical aid provided to Ukraine are connected. However, fresh Linking the global food crisis with Western states providing military assistance that prolongs the war and exacerbates the collapse in the field of food security.

Russian Disinformation in Estonia: Ukrainian refugees are HIV-throwing prostitutes

In the Estonian Information Space, fewer disinformation content was detected in Estonian. There seems to be inactive a trend in spreading misinformation in Russian. This allows false content to be reached in a much easier way to the Russian-speaking part of the people of that country. Russian disinformation focused on issues related to refugees and war-related events. In addition, Estonian disinformation researchers have detected respective insignificant narratives.

Ukrainian army attacks civilian facilities and Ukrainian refugees pose a threat to Estonian health

Russian propaganda accuses Ukrainian Army for Attacking civilian Objects. To this end, it uses the UN report, which actually lists respective specified incidents. However, the study mostly indicates Russian actions aimed at the civilian population.

Pro-Russian message presents Ukrainian refugees as a threat to Estonian health.The Estonian wellness Chamber said that Ukrainians account for as many as 57% of those infected with HIV in Estonia. The same article cites the words of the president of the Estonian Conservative People's organization and acknowledges his message in which he accused Ukrainian women of prostitution and spreading sex diseases in Estonia.

The Pro-Russian disinformation message besides presents the Ukrainian authorities as corrupt. Propaganda presents corruption in Ukraine as the alleged origin of the war. Prokremlowski's message shows Western, and in peculiar Estonian media as incompetent. The native media allegedly lie about the war in Ukraine, nor can they translate English articles.

Russian Disinformation in Georgia: The West is trying to drag us into war!

Pro-Russian media in Georgia proceed to supply space for statements to utmost right-wing and pro-Russian politicians and activists. They effort to justify Russian aggression and to prove that Western countries are tired of war, the Ukrainian army suffers tremendous losses and accuse the United States and their allies of fighting Russia.

Liberal media allegedly lie about the losses of the Ukrainian army, and Russian propaganda tries to legitimize aggression against Ukraine

Ukraine says 1 of the Conservative activists is to lose the war. The party's typical stated on Alt-Info that the Ukrainian army suffered 80% of the losses, and liberal media withheld this fact. The message makes the recording published on the Telegram credible, in which it is seen how citizens are encouraged to join the army on the streets of Ukrainian cities. However, Ukrainians are to avoid enlistment.

Another associate of the aforementioned organisation stated in Alt-Info that it The West forced Russia to attack Ukraine. In his opinion, Russia's invasion provoked Ukrainian efforts to join NATO. The following narratives related to the war can besides be seen in Georgian media space:

• The West uses Ukraine to wage war against Russia,
• Poland will annex Ukraine,
• Ukrainians refuse to proceed fighting.

Pro-Russian message in Alt-Info about the provocation of Russia's attack on Ukraine by the West. Source: Facebook

As mentioned above, they are noticeable attempts to justify and legitimize Russian aggression. 1 Alt-Info presenters tried to justify Russian aggression, stating that the media in the West distorted the word "intervention" and effort to represent the Russian Federation as an expansion state. He besides supported Russia's actions, noting that it was trying to make fresh Russia from territories that were within the borders of the USSR until the 1920s.

The guest of the program, Giorgi Kiknadze, added that from a political point of view Russia's actions are fair. Another interviewer tried to push narratives about Russia's far greater fighting capabilities. In his opinion, Russia has modern military equipment of the highest class, and the claim that it plans to win the war only utilizing outdated military equipment is false. The interviewer stated that Russia had to simply dispose of equipment accumulated after planet War II.

Pro-Russian message justifying Russian aggression to Ukraine, Source: Facebook

Supposedly privileged refugees and indestructible Russian economy

Pro-Russian messages proceed to present refugees as privileged to another citizens. On 1 of the Facebook pages, an entry was placed in which the Tbilisi authorities were criticised for providing financial support to refugees from Ukraine. According to the propaganda line, city officials should not supply assistance, as the Kiev authorities are hostile to Georgia, in which many citizens live in hard conditions.

During the broadcast of 1 of the programs in Kartula tv – a station liable for spreading disinformation about COVID-19, referred to anti-Russian sanctionsThat would be the origin of the war. If European leaders had guaranteed Moscow that they would not follow the example of the US and impose economical sanctions on Russia, there would have been no war.

There are besides narratives that show the strengthening of the Russian economy due to the imposition of sanctions. The pro-Russian tv station repeated the claims of a celebrity known for spreading false information about the coronavirus pandemic. Georgian star statedthat the Russian economy has strengthened and Europeans are facing problems. She besides promised to show evidence of alleged strikes and problems with gathering the regular needs of Europeans. In the Georgian information space, reports of the secret trade between Western states and Russia are inactive present.

The West is allegedly willing to sacrifice Georgia and Ukraine

He besides pays attention to the post on the Pro-Russian fanpage presenting destroyed Tbilisi. He is accompanied by accusations against Ukraine, the West and Georgian opposition groups about attempting to drag Georgia into war. Consent to the beginning of the second front would consequence in the position of a candidate for the European Union. 1 associate of Alt-Info TV's management accuses the West of trying to provoke and drag Georgia into it. It besides states that the US and Western states are prepared to sacrifice Ukraine and Georgia to accomplish their political goals.

Pro-Russian message presenting the destroyed capital of Georgia, Source: Facebook

Anti-Western expert stated on Alt-Info tv that NATO states They can't send weapons anymore. Ukraine. In his opinion, the U.S. does not have strategical weapons in their magazines, and France will take 18 months to complete the deficiencies in the arsenal. He further accuses Volodymyr Zelensk of acting against European countries. The president of Ukraine, erstwhile accepting military aid from European states, is to leave them vulnerable. Russian disinformation continues to focus on pointing out widespread corruption within the Ukrainian army. The weapons supplied by the West are to vanish and likely hit the black market.

Ukrainian political leadership has manifest allegedly incompetence, which will lead to increasing tensions between politicians and a brave Ukrainian army. This results in a regular worsening relation between the political class and the leadership.

Facebook post accusing Ukrainian political leadership of incompetence, Source: Facebook

Russian disinformation in Hungary: Russian army destroys Ukrainian equipment and mercenaries

In the Hungarian media space, attention is drawn to the fact that the number of interactions importantly exceeds the average by an article containing false information regarding the ongoing armed conflict. This trend was started 2 weeks ago. Much above the average number of comments, likes and reactions there is no clear reason. It should be assumed that pro-Russian channels usage bots and artificially advance selected articles.

Russian disinformation says the West is losing interest in aid

The most popular subject dealt with by Russian disinformation channels was the events related to the war activities. 3 articles afraid the alleged failure of interest by the West in helping Ukraine. It was a communicative that showed the reluctance and hostility of Western citizens (especially from Czech and Poland). They besides tried to give false information about the alleged detention by the Italian Government arms supplies for fighting Ukrainians. The following articles served as a propaganda tube through which Russian dignitaries could spread false information about military successes and demolition of Western weapons.

narrations of western volunteers fighting in the Ukrainian global Territorial Defence Legion are inactive visible as mercenaries. There are besides articles that advance the pro-Russian view of conflict, according to which the West forced Russia to attack. This communicative is based on an analysis that the attack on Ukraine was justifiedBecause Ukraine has broken global law.

Scotland allegedly halts support for refugees from Ukraine, and the Russian economy has not suffered from sanctions imposed

Refugees from Ukraine stay unwelcome. 1 Article presented the decision of Scotland to suspend the exile aid strategy as a clear signal confirming this thesis. With respect to the economical sanctions imposed on Russia, there is simply a predominate communicative stating that there is no harm caused by them. Articles on this subject focus on consequences of stopping exports of gas and oil to Europe.

An entry addressing the energy crisis caused by the imposition of sanctions on Russia. Source: Facebook

The mediate East countries (no) have joined the BRICS Group and the European Union and NATO will fall apart

Two articles present the likely accession of Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia to the BRICS group as a fact that has already happened. The aim of disinformation is besides to spread false information about Ukraine's independence. 1 of the portals was published Hungarian text version About the Ban Ki-moon that Simon Parkes wrote. The erstwhile UN Secretary-General was to state that Ukraine is not an independent state due to the fact that its borders were registered after 1991.

Ukrainian authorities are trying to put themselves in a bad light. An example of specified rhetoric may be an article describing that Zelenski was furious with the news of Canada’s failure to impose sanctions. Articles adopting rhetoric about the imminent collapse of the European Union and NATO focus on indication further European politicians who will gotta step down from their positions as did Boris Johnson. The same texts point to the possible fact that the BRICS Group is enlarged, which is intended to indicate the choice by the countries of the Global South of Russia.

Ukrainian leaders are inactive presented as incompetent. An example of spreading this communicative are posts on social media indicating mental illness Volodymyr Zelenski. He is besides present transmission emphasizing the European Union's commitment to war and presenting Viktor Orbán as a non-attractive policy and taking care of the interests of its country.

An example entry about the intellectual illness of the president of Ukraine, Source: Facebook

Russian disinformation in Latvia: narratives built around conspiracy theories

There is inactive a trend towards spreading Russian propaganda in Russian. fewer disinformation articles were targeted at Latvian-speaking recipients. It is worth noting that Russian disinformation focused on spreading disinformation around conspiracy theories. Narrations were built around:

• charges addressed to Ukrainian liberals who are to usage the war to advance their progressive views,
• indicationsthat war is part of a global conspiracy,
• emphasis the fact that politicians make money in war.

W Latvia is discussing the thought of introducing compulsory military service. Prokremlian disinformation channels besides affected the subject. On their pages challenged Latvia's request and ability to defend itself in a possible war against Russia, and the benefits of NATO membership have besides been undermined. In 1 of the articles indicated besides to weaken Germany due to sanctions imposed on Russia. The same text then concludes that sanctions are part of a global conspiracy.

An entry about the deficiency of benefits of NATO membership. Source: Facebook

Russian disinformation in Lithuania: long shadow of Kaliningrad blockade

Russian propaganda focused mainly on the following issues during this period:

• war activities,
• military aid to Ukraine,
• the introduction by Lithuania of the European Commission's provisions on the transit of goods to the Kaliningrad region.

With respect to the last topic, the prokremlian channels speculated that Lithuania was placed against the wall. The transit operations were allegedly intended to escalate tension and scare the public.

Russia was provoked by the West, and Ukraine is liable for the food crisis

One of users Facebook quoted the words of Noam Chomsky. The philosopher stated that the United States had provoked Russia to attack Ukraine. The US was to do so by trying to extend NATO to the Ukrainian state. He then added that the Russian-Ukrainian War began in 2014 (Euromaidan). In his opinion, that is why the Ukrainians started the war themselves and are liable for it.

One of the authors of disinformation content He suggestedthat political repression is taking place in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Ukraine. Then statedthat the Ukrainian army is shelling civilian objects in the Kherson Oblast utilizing HIMARS launched by the West.

Russian propaganda accuses Ukraine of utilizing the HIMARS launcher to fire civilian objects; Source: Facebook

Typical narratives are besides present. Articles on the procremlovian pages say Ukraine is losing the war. Misinformation authors declarethat the Ukrainian state has been defeated and the West must accept it. Next of them he suggested that the powers had already decided on the result of the war, and the public was deceived. Last It stresses that Russia's triumph is inevitable, and building good relations with this country (and Belarus) is necessary.

Disinformation channels proceed to accuse the Ukrainians of Nazism. In 1 of entries Citizens of the country under attack were named Russophobic Nazis who wanted to sale their country to Western colonists. Another social media user has accused Ukrainians of committing war crimes since 2014. Another 1 of the net users Accused Ukraine for the intent of causing the global food crisis. He presented a recording of a chopper firing flares, which he thought would set the fields on fire.

Anti-Russian sanctions are illegal and transportation of immoral weapons

Pro-Russian propaganda sources do not halt in Tests proof of harmlessness and illegality imposed on Russia by economical sanctions. In the first case we are dealing with out of context fragments of articles from planet media. The author of the above disinformation content stated that anti-Russian sanctions were as ineffective as COVID-19 vaccines. Meanwhile, freezing Russian assets abroad is allegedly illegal.

A video that tries to prove the ineffectiveness and illegality of sanctions imposed by the West. Source: DailyMotion

Vaidas Lekstutis stated that delivery of fighting weapons Ukraine is immoral. In his opinion, imported weapons can be utilized to attack civilian objects. At the same time, the state providing military aid may be under Russian business erstwhile the geopolitical situation changes. Another author in his article statedthat Europe is exhausted economically by providing assistance to Ukraine. However, the creator did not include any reliable sources to support his thesis.

"Family" quarrel, deficiency of transparency with Ukraine and Article 5 of the Washington Treaty

Eduardos Vaitkus stated besides that the Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians are fundamentally 1 nation. In his opinion, citizens of these countries should follow the example from China, where people surviving in different regions say otherwise but live in the same country. Vaitkus thus most likely suggests that Russia, Ukraine and Belarus should make 1 state. Another possible explanation of Vaitkus's words is the 1 in which the war is seen as a quarrel between “brothers”.

Ignas Vėgėlėstatedthat Ukraine's assistance lacks transparency. In the following part of his statement, he suspects that any powers may benefit financially by ‘defrauding’ aid. The authors of the another articles insinuate that aid does not scope Ukraine and is purchased at advanced prices.

In another disinformation material We can read that in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty there should not be so much hope. Germany's opposition to Ukraine's financial support is an alleged cause. Poland's view Dainius Razauskas poses a threat to Lithuania. In his opinion, the southeastern part of the country is what Donbas is to Poland for Russia.

The war in Ukraine is portrayed by pro-Russian messages as part of the global conspiracy. According to 1 of the social media users in Ukraine There is no war. Jews, Anglo-Saxons and another “clowns” fight there. Another of the procremlovian commentators suspectthat Jews under cover of war prepare or carry out the cleansing of local Ukrainians.

Russian Disinformation in North Macedonia: NATO is fresh Crusaders

In Macedonian net space, there was a tendency to print respective articles discussing 1 event or statements by Russian dignitaries. Portals print the same text twice, but with a changed header.

Russian propaganda tubes depict NATO as fresh fascists. At the same time, they emphasize that Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin have reviewed the strategy of the West. They depict the North Atlantic Pact and the West as a dividing force between Slavs and Orthodox. In support of this claim falls Charges towards NATO to origin the break-up of Yugoslavia. president of Belarus defined besides NATO as “new Crusaders” at a gathering of graduates of Belarusian military schools. On the occasion of the extraordinary gathering of the lower home of Duma, pro-Russian parties force A communicative saying Russia hasn't shown what it can do yet.

Economic impact of sanctions

Authors in entries and articles making pro-Russian communicative stress that Russia was not affected by sanctions. usage Dmitry Medvedev's offensive message that the Russian economy is well. In his speech, Vice-President of the safety Council of the Russian Federation omitted the fact that in the first 4th the number of Russian residents surviving in poorness increased from 12 to 21 million.

There are besides narratives on the subject in propaganda channels alleged accession of Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to the BRICS Group of States.

Intercontinental missiles RS-28 Sarmat and alliance of Balkan states

Researchers observed a return narrative on Russian intercontinental ballistic missiles RS-28 Sarmat. The author, in order to exposure the Russian military advantage, in an entry discussing the tested missiles, emphasizes their modernity and successfully completed tests.

Four articles besides quote Putin’s alleged statements about creation a neutral military alliance composed of 4 Balkan states (hence the name B4). Narratives of this type, treating the alleged coalition, can be found already in 2016. However, misinformation related to this subject returned due to the actions of Liupco Palevski – leader of the far right party.

Russian disinformation in Poland: Volyn massacre and action “Stop the Ukrainianization of Poland”

The most desirable topics are:

• Volyn massacre and the failure of Ukrainians to admit guilt and the inaction of the Polish government for political reasons,
• Refugees and the threat they pose.

Ukrainians are Nazis who sucked out the Bandera cult with mother's milk

On the far right side of social media, an entry was published suggesting tensions on the Warsaw-Kijów line. The author of the entry tried to prove that the real enemy of Poland were not Russians, but Ukrainians. The proof of this was that a movie about Katyn was played in Russian cinemas, and in Ukrainians there was no akin movie work telling about Volyn. Ukrainians are inactive portrayed as Nazis. The authors, based on materials from the context about the niche cult of Stepan Bandera, effort to prove that this is simply a common ideology in Ukraine.

The above communicative about the cult of Stepan Bandera connects with the 1 about the West fighting Russia utilizing Ukrainian hands. NATO is to weaken Russia with the aid of Ukraine. Until then, the Polish government must tolerate the cult of Bandera. 1 of the Pro-Russian portals published text John Mearsheimer, in which he proves that Russia has provoked the United States to attack. The reason for the invasion was to be the threat allegedly posed to Russia by Ukraine's joining NATO. According to this narrative, the United States is not curious in ending the war, but alternatively in prolonging it.

An interview with Stanisław Srokowski was published on the same portal. He stated that The outbreak of war provoked the United States to weaken Russia. Srokowski besides paints a black script in which Ukrainians change the demography of Poland, get into the Sejm and enforce their territorial claims.

Przemysław Piast published ArticleIn which he claims Ukrainians are neo-Nazi due to the fact that UPA killers are their heroes.

The author, in a text published on another pro-Russian portal, statedthat the designation of armed action in the east Ukraine's war should be considered disinformation. According to the author of the text, to talk about a war in a territory, this 1 must first be spoken.

"Stop the Ukrainianization of Poland"

At the gathering of the Parliamentary Group on global Relations and Interests of Poland and Polonia the task was discussed “Stop the Ukrainianization of Poland”. The task was prepared by the Confederation of the Polish Crown. utmost right-wing politicians argued that:

• Ukrainians are an epidemiological threat,
• the Polish government does not act in the interests of its citizens,
• The privileges enjoyed by Ukrainians are evidence of the organized resettlement of Ukrainians aimed at the Ukrainianization of Poland,
• The thought of Ukrainians participating in the elections in Poland is presently being discussed, which would bring a triumph to the Ukrainian minority.

The authors of 2 entries on utmost right-wing sites duplicate the communicative of the privileged Ukrainian refugees. This is evidenced by the fact that for Ukrainian students, seats at Polish universities were prepared.

Press conference of the Confederation of the Crown of Poland, which discusses details of the task “Stop the Ukrainianization of Poland”, Source: YouTube

The pro-Russian portal legartis.pl featured an article in which claims, that Poles who have utilized their homes or homes to "residences" note the expanding inconvenience caused by their "unrethinkable decisions". They want to be free of the “intruder”. According to the portal, this is not easy from a legal point of view. respective private property owners in Interzdroje found this. The portal reported calls to leave the premises to which the Ukrainians allegedly did not comply.

Poland escalates war, western aversion to further aid and Volyn massacre

Marcin Skalski stated in his article, that Poland is not the mark of Putin. In his opinion, however, the Polish government is doing everything possible to make this attack happen.

On the right-wing portal, a text was published in which thesis about Western reluctance to send aid to Ukraine. The article states that Poland is 1 of the countries that helps the most, but the price for this is paid by average citizens facing the economical crisis. The Polish government – according to the author – acts to the detriment of the Polish nation, and in addition Ukrainians require much more money than offered.

On the pro-Russian side known for spreading conspiracy theories fell statement of disarming Polish Armed Forces by sending aid to Ukraine.

In the Polish media space there were 12 articles resembling the Volyn massacre. These narratives aim to deepen the division between Polish and Ukrainian citizens. TThe extremity aimed at the Polish government is to show its inability and service to Ukraine, and thus show the deficiency of sovereignty of Poland or deficiency of respect for the victims of these events. Articles aimed at Ukrainian authorities are to convince the reader that Ukrainians inactive consider the Ukrainian Insurgency Army to be heroes, which is to prove that they are neo-Nazi.

Russian misinformation in Slovakia: questioning aid to Ukraine and sanctions hit the West

In the Slovak information space, the largest number of interactions was achieved by articles on western sanctions affecting the economies of Western countries, not Russia. The second most widespread communicative was to challenge military aid to Ukraine. The subject was addressed in 2 articles and reached 14,000 interactions. Many of the pro-Russian entries aimed to keep the anti-Ukrainian and anti-Western speech of discourse to distort the image of the Russian-Ukrainian War. Attention is drawn to the almost complete deficiency of narratives in Ukrainian refugees.

The West fights with Ukrainian hands and Ukrainians refuse to fight

Russian disinformation continues to spread 2 mutually exclusive narratives. The first talks about the usage of Ukraine by the global West to wage war with Russia. The second shows the Ukrainian army in unfavorable light. Allegedly fresh recruits are sought in bars and pubs, but the actions of recruiters have no effect – Ukrainians are to refuse military service.

Sanctions strike Western states and Russia stops gas supply

Topics related to sanctions imposed on Russia have been taken together in 17 entries and have obtained a full of 90 000 interactions. The first of the most widespread pro-Russian narratives saysthat sanctions have not harmed the Russian economy and are liable for the severe economical and energy situation in Europe. another entries have taken place theme Russia's alleged suspension of gas supply to Europe. According to the authors, this would origin a terrible crisis.

The weapons sent by the West are allegedly destroyed by the Russian army

Russians allegedly They proceed to destruct military aid sent by Western states. This communicative in the Slovak media space distributed a fanpage called Armáda Ruskej Federáta (Armia of the Russian Federation).

A movie where Russian propaganda attempts to show destroyed Ukrainian equipment obtained from western countries. Source: Facebook

Incompetence of Ukrainian authorities and weakness of the European Union

Pro-Russian media presents Ukrainian authorities proceed to be incompetent. This communicative was found in 3 posts that copied the entry of Milan Uhrik's far-right policy. 2 of the political entries claim concern for Ukraine at the expense of its own citizens.

Slovakia is besides present narration The weak West that will fall. Propagandists have announced the fall of further European leaders, which is to announce Boris Johnson and Mario Draghi's resignation. FThe resignation would lead to the collapse of the West. In another entry European Union hypocrisy has been abandoned on social media. According to the propaganda message, the Union orders Serbia to recognise Kosovo's independence, but does not itself recognise the popular republics in Donbasa.

Russian disinformation in Ukraine: attempts to slander Ukrainian authorities and trade in weapons obtained from the West

This week, Russian propaganda on Ukrainian Telegram focused on discrediting Ukraine's political leadership, focusing on publishing information in abroad media about the smuggling of weapons, ineffective sanctions and general economical consequences of war. It is worth noting that the advancement of the Ukrainian army around Kherson is discredited and presented as false pro-government information. You can besides see disinformation related to the Russian attack in Vinnytsia (the analysis can be read Here.).

The advancement of the Ukrainian army is not real – Ukrainians lead “controlled terror” and Poles are privileged in Ukraine

In six articles, narratives have appeared to prove that tensions and misunderstandings happen between authorities in Kiev and the West. Pro-Russian Propagandists show advancement by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the south of the country, in the vicinity of Chersonia as propaganda games, thanks to which Kiev hopes to bargain more aid from its western partners. Ukrainian authorities are thus to effort to keep morale high.

On the occasion of the death of a British man fighting in Ukraine You can see attempts to discredit Western volunteers fighting in the ranks of the Ukrainian Army. According to propaganda, Ukraine will be forced to address the issue of "foreign mercenaries". inactive Convincing The Ukrainian government is liable for the food crisis and wants to make money from it.

An example of the pro-Russian communicative on the advancement of Ukrainian forces in the south of Ukraine. Source: Telegram

Pro-Russian accounts on Telegram besides accuse Ukrainians of neo-Nazism and attacks on civilians. In the second case, they fall open Charges addressed to peculiar Forces, the President's Office and the GUR (military intelligence of Ukraine) about the usage of "controlled terror". Intelligence agents and peculiar forces operators are to organize terrorist attacks, and the president's office is to support them.

narrations are besides visible privileged Poles in Ukraine. An example of specified communicative is Diana Panchenko's entry, in which he manipulates information on the above subject. Pro-Russian propagandists emphasize that Russian missiles do not hit civilian but military objects. They besides point out that Ukraine is only a weapon in Western hands to fight Russia.

The video on which Diana Panchenko tells about the peculiar position of Poles in Ukraine. Source: Telegram

The European Union and trafficking in human beings and Russia's unsinkable economy

The European Union allegedly encourages and accepts trafficking in human beings, in peculiar Ukrainian refugees. Ukrainian politicians and construction companies intend to rob Ukraine by building homes for displaced people.

According to propaganda channels, the Russian economy was not even scratched by sanctions imposed by the West. At the same time, there are claims about the negative impact of sanctions on the economies of Western countries. In the close future, this will lead to the resignation of many European politicians. The resignation is allegedly due to the ineffectiveness of sanctions that did not halt the war and did not force Zelenski to comply with the Minsk agreements. The consequence of imposing sanctions will besides be the energy crisis.

Ukrainians and Poles want genocide on Russians

Entries about the various pro-Russian channels of the Telegram have appeared Proposals by erstwhile president of Poland Lech Walesawho proposed to reduce the number of Russians to 50 million. Propagandists have taken on this subject and have identified the Welsh plan as genocide. They besides fishy that Ukrainians support this idea, which is at the same time the main origin special position of Poles in Ukraine.

An example of an entry utilizing the words of erstwhile Polish president Lech Wałęsa, Source: Telegram

The Pro-Russian channel on the Telegram emphasizes Russia's actions, which allegedly allows Ukrainian language to be utilized in occupied territories. The pro-Russian channel in question presents Ukraine in a contrast to activities in occupied territories. He mainly highlights the demands of Ukrainian activists who request the ban on Russian language in schools and the removal from the streets of monuments of Russian characters.

Poland escalates the war and Ukraine sells weapons obtained in support of Western aid

In the Ukrainian information space there is inactive a false thesis concerning the escalation of war by the Polish government. Researchers have encountered many manipulative entries inspired by an article published in The fresh York Times, on the Atlantico portal and the Financial Times newspaper. The origin text afraid the sale of arms to Ukraine by Western states.

An example propaganda communicative on arms trafficking from the West utilizing an article published in the Financial Times. Source: Telegram

Russian propaganda besides emphasizes in Ukraine that military aid sent by the West undermines the military possible of the states that give it. He besides points out that the transportation of weapons prolongs the war.

The West will halt supplies due to corruption, and the European Union and NATO are weak

There was news on the Telegram about alleged fatigue of war among Europeans and about alleged corruption in Ukraine. For these 2 reasons, Western countries would have Hold providing assistance to the fighting Ukraine. 16 articles published accusations of corruption and incompetence directed at Ukrainian rulers. 3 articles foresee that the European Union/NATO/West is weak and will fall apart.

Summary

The Russian Federation conducts propaganda activities, smashing the news stream of its opponents. The attack is to “take off” the victim's information message and give precedence to their messages. Such actions shall be carried out utilizing bots to break social media algorithms and advance a peculiar misinformation. specified activities can be observed in Hungary and Ukraine during this period. This is demonstrated by far greater than the average number of interactions.

Another of the typical Russian propaganda features is to adapt the message to the specificity of the country that is the goal. Disinformationists match the message to the current social, political and economical situation. In the Baltic States and Lithuania, disinformation activities around the blockade of the Kaliningrad region proceed to be seen. The Polish media space has dominated activity in spreading misinformation related to the Volyn massacre for a long time. In Bulgaria, however, propaganda is trying to discredit authorities.

Typical of the Russian rhetoric of the besieged fortress There are messages concerning the provocation of Russia's attack by attempting to join Ukraine in NATO. This communicative line creating the image of Russia as a country threatened and injured after the dissolution of the USSR has been utilized for a long time. Its severity could be observed before February 24.

The Russian misinformation in the period under discussion uses to a degree of subdued transmission, but draws attention to the usage of mutually exclusive narratives. For propaganda in the Czech Republic, a U.N. study was taken from the context. This is new. A akin novum is the claim to join Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt into the BRICS countries. This message shows Russia in a affirmative world, to convince readers of Russia's deficiency of political isolation.

Attention is besides drawn to attempts to legitimize Russian aggression against Ukraine and to present sanctions as illegal. In connection with the coming winter, there are besides attempts at energy blackmail.

Untrue information is repeated by the most crucial Russian politicians. The channels spreading disinformation service as a propaganda tube for Russian dignitaries. specified actions aim at spreading false information to a vastly larger audience. They besides show that the Kremlin is an ideological monolith.

This study is the consequence of cooperation between 11 NGOs, think tanks and researchers in the working group. Ukraine War Disinfo Working Group. Members of the group monitor regular narratives that appear on procremlow's social websites and media in eleven countries of Central and east Europe. During monitoring, peculiar emphasis is placed on narratives related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Group formed in cooperation with Open Information Partnership.

Partners: Civic opposition Initiative Lithuania, Analyses and Alternatives (Bulgaria), Prague safety Studies Initiative (Czech), GRASS (Georgia), Atlatszo (Hungarian), MOCT (Northern Macedonia), Fakenews. (Poland), Slovak safety Policy Institute (Slovakia), Detector Media (Ukraine), DebunkEu.org (Lithuania).