Disinformation

russia china lithuania mairupol

Fri, Jun 24, 2022

Russian War Report: Pro-Kremlin Russian outlet refers to Russian troops in Mariupol as ‘occupiers’ 

News outlet Moskovsky Komsomolets published an article that referred to Russian soldiers in Mariupol as "occupiers," but it was quickly deleted. Meanwhile, fires strike Russian oil and power plants, and Chinese media report on Russia-Lithuania dispute.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Ukrainian service members fire a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launch system, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Bakhmut, Donetsk region Ukraine June 12, 2022. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Fri, Jun 17, 2022

Russian War Report: Russian governor accuses Ukraine of launching multiple attacks on Kursk 

The governor of Russia's Kursk Oblast accused Ukrainian forces of opening fire on two locations in the region. Meanwhile, pro-Kremlin Telegram channels recycle narratives about Western weapon sales again.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Belarusian soldiers from the Unit 103rd Vitebsk Guard Aircraft Brigade conduct joint combat exercises with police units in the Gomel region of Belarus, Feb 16, 2022. (Source: Eyepress via Reuters Connect)

Fri, Jun 3, 2022

Russian War Report: Signs of renewed Belarusian troop movements towards Ukrainian border

Belarusian troops seem to be on the move again toward their border with Ukraine while the Kremlin spreads claims of killed NATO officers and blames the West for global food shortages.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Tue, May 31, 2022

Polish-language Telegram channels spread anti-refugee narratives

The DFRLab identified 27 Telegram channels spreading anti-refugee disinformation as Ukrainians flee to Poland.

by Esteban Ponce de León, Givi Gigitashvili

API Civil Society
A camouflaged Russian tank outside the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar, Ukraine, March 16, 2022. (Source: Reuters/Energoatom)

Fri, May 27, 2022

Russian War Report: Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels claim Ukraine is building a “dirty bomb”

Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels misrepresented comments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to claim Ukraine was producing a “dirty bomb.”

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

BANNER: Nicholas Fuentes of far-right group America First speaks at an anti-vaccine protest in front of Pfizer world headquarters in New York, November 13, 2021. (Source: Reuters/Ron Adar /SOPA Images/Sipa USA)

Wed, May 25, 2022

Allegations of platform manipulation stir tensions in online white nationalist movement

Former associates of white nationalist podcaster Nicholas Fuentes allege Cozy TV manipulates view counts, though the truth is unclear.

by Jared Holt

Civil Society Digital Policy
Banner image: Incendiary weapons explode above the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, Ukraine. (Source: @faceofwar/archive)

Fri, May 20, 2022

Russian War Report: Russian forces use incendiary munitions in Mariupol

New photo and video evidence suggests that the Russian military continues to use incendiary and cluster munitions against Ukrainian forces.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Wed, May 18, 2022

How Russia attempts to widen its arsenal of pro-war propaganda

Kremlin seeks to maintain domestic support by marketing patriotic symbols and slogans, from the letter Z to “I am not ashamed."

by Eto Buziashvili

Botnets Conflict
Using drone footage supplied by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the DFRLab confirmed the incident took place near the Russian town of Belohorivka. (Source: @DefenceU/archive)

Fri, May 13, 2022

Russian War Report: Drone footage confirms failed Russian military pontoon crossing 

The DFRLab geolocated drone footage that showed the obliteration of the Russian unit that tried to cross the Siversky Donets in the Donbas region.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Bonnie and Clyde’s cameo during Russian Victory Day celebrations. (Source: @JuliaDavisNews/archive)

Tue, May 10, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia accidentally honors Bonnie and Clyde during Victory Day celebration

During a Victory Day celebration, Kremlin TV featured a photo of infamous American criminals Bonnie and Clyde during a slideshow of alleged Soviet WWII veterans.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Tue, May 10, 2022

Videos in Spanish created by Kremlin outlets reappear on YouTube despite restrictions

Multiple channels used same branding of restricted pro-Kremlin media, garnering thousands of subscribers and views in less than a month.

by Daniel Suárez Pérez, Esteban Ponce de León

Buzzsumo Disinformation
A Belarusian soldier of the 11th separate mechanized brigade participates in a previous combat exercise on Feb 16, 2022. (Source: EYEPRESS via Reuters Connect)

Fri, May 6, 2022

Russian War Report: Belarus launches “combat preparedness test”

The Belarusian military began unannounced combat drills, the Kremlin drops the term "denazification," and a Latin American RT influencer resigns.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab