Russia inundated the internet in 2014 with fake accounts spreading disinformation about its takeover. Experts say that Russia has launched a much more sophisticated invasion of Ukraine eight years later.
Anti-Ukrainian sentiment is sparked by the rise of bots and trolls. The state-controlled media outlets seek to divide Western viewers. Clever TikTok videos combine Russian nationalism and humor.
This effort is a part of Russia’s growing war arsenal. It involves the shaping of opinions through orchestrated disinformation fighting alongside actual soldiers.
The cat video shows a playful puppy named after the United States, which swipes at the tail a tabby with a Russian flag. The dog is sent scurrying by the cat’s ferocious snarl. This clip has been viewed over 775,000 times within two weeks and is the creation of Funrussianprezident, who boasts 310,000 followers. Nearly all its videos contain pro-Russian content.
“It could be a patriotic Russian fighting for the good fight as they see,” Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation researcher, and expert on Eastern Europe at Wilson Center in Washington, said. These tactics have been perfected by Russia.
They are now putting them into play.
According to The Associated Press, analysts from several research organizations have noticed a significant increase in online activity by Russian-affiliated groups. This is consistent with Russia’s strategy to use social media and state-run outlets as a way to mobilize domestic support and to undermine the Western alliance.
According to Cyabra, an Israeli tech company that detects disinformation, there has been a rapid increase in suspicious accounts on the internet spreading anti-Ukrainian content.
Cyabra’s analysts analyzed thousands of Twitter and Facebook accounts that had recently posted about Ukraine. Researchers noticed a dramatic rise in anti-Ukrainian posts in the days before the invasion. For example, on Valentine’s Day, the number and quality of anti-Ukrainian tweets created by the selected Twitter accounts increased by 11,000% compared to just days before. Analysts suspect that a large portion of these accounts may be fake and controlled by Russian-linked groups.
Cyabra CEO Dan Brahmy stated, “When you see an increase of 11,000%, it is a sign that something is up.” “No one knows who is behind this. “We can only guess.”
This work is ongoing for some time.
Researchers from the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab examined 3,000 articles from 10 Russian state-owned news outlets. They noticed an increase in unfounded claims about Ukraine’s intent to strike separatist groups. According to research, Russian media claims about Ukrainian aggression increased by 50% in January.
Jim Ludes, an ex-defense analyst from the United States, now directs the Salve Regina University’s Pell Center for International Relation and Public Policy. Ludes stated that Russian disinformation campaigns aim to mobilize Russian support, while confusing and dividing its opponents.
Russia customizes its propaganda messages for certain audiences.
Russians and proRussian separatists living in Ukraine understand that Russia wants to protect its people from Western-fueled aggression and persecution in Ukraine. Ludes pointed out that similar tactics were used by Nazi Germany in its invasion of Czechoslovakia.
Ludes stated, “It is not good guys that use this tactic.” It’s not democracy, it’s the language for conquest.
Russia also uses disinformation to demoralize and confuse its enemies. The Kremlin, for example, said that it resumed fighting on Saturday after a pause to discuss possible negotiations with Ukraine. Associated Press journalists from different parts of Ukraine saw that the Russian offensive had not stopped.
According to Ned Price, a State Department spokesperson, information has been obtained by the U.S. that suggests Russia is publishing false reports about widespread surrenders among Ukrainian troops. Also, Moscow claims it plans to “threaten to kill family members of Ukrainian soldiers” if they don’t surrender.
Russia also used cyberattacks during its invasion of Ukraine. While they are a serious threat, online propagandists can cause even greater damage if they succeed, according to retired Army Lieutenant General Michael Nagata. Nagata was previously the director of strategic operational planning at U.S. National Counterterrorism Center.
Nagata stated that Russia’s ability “to influence what people believe” is much more dangerous. To get them to believe things that will benefit Russian strategic interests. You don’t have to attack everything if you can change the beliefs of an entire population.
Russia’s goal is to cause division in the West and decrease the chance of an international consensus. Russia does this partly through a number of state-controlled media outlets, such as Sputnik or RT, that publish in English, Spanish, and other languages.
“The invasion has begun,” was the headline in RT last Wednesday, days before Russian troops entered eastern Ukraine. “Tucker Carlson Slams Biden For Focusing on Putin and Ukraine instead of US Domestic Problems,” another headline in Sputnik News reads. This is a common Russian practice: Cite government critics in America (like Fox News host Carlson), to suggest that America’s leaders have lost touch.
On Wednesday, the European Union expressed concern about RT when it listed RT’s editor in chief on a list containing sanctions against Russian officials. Margarita Simonyan, RT’s leader was called “a central figure in the government propaganda”.
Facebook announced Friday that it will prohibit RT from running ads through its site. It also stated it would increase its use of labels for identifying state-run media.
Ludes stated that he was pleased to see the U.S. and its allies vigorously resist Russian disinformation, and even attempt to prevent it by publicly disclosing Russia’s plans.
He said, “The Biden administration has shown some creativity in using intelligence as a response.” “We haven’t seen that from West since the cold war.”
