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Thu, Jul 7, 2022

Russian War Report: Ukraine uses HIMARS effectively to hit Russian ammo dumps

As Russia continues its assault on Ukraine, the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) is keeping a close eye on Russia’s movements across the military, cyber, and information domains. With more than seven years of experience monitoring the situation in Ukraine—as well as Russia’s use of propaganda and disinformation to undermine the United States, NATO, and the European Union—the DFRLab’s global team presents the latest installment of the Russian War Report.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Conflict CrowdTangle
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

Fri, Jun 3, 2022

Latinos in the US turn to WhatsApp groups for information on the Uvalde shooting

Spanish-language WhatsApp groups discussed solutions to school shootings and shared information from Latin American media sources.

by Iria Puyosa

Civil Society Crisis Management
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

US President Joe Biden departs Japan on May 24, 2022. (Source: Reuters/Kyodo Pictures)

Thu, May 26, 2022

Chinese netizens accuse Biden of using gaffes as a “strategic advantage”

Chinese social media accounts disparaged the US president by claiming Biden intentionally weaponizes his verbal gaffes.

China Government
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

Thu, May 19, 2022

Telegram channels and youth groups rally against Riga following Victory Day controversy

The city of Riga sparks pro-Russian outrage after voting to demolish Soviet monument and arresting pro-Kremlin activist.

by Nika Aleksejeva

Electorate Government (Includes international governing bodies)
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

Top pro-Kremlin channels gain followers faster, reach more people, and have more subscribers than those critical of the Kremlin

Fri, May 13, 2022

Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels in Russia outperforming channels critical of Kremlin

Top pro-Kremlin channels gain followers faster, reach more people, and have more subscribers than those critical of the Kremlin.

by Givi Gigitashvili

Eastern Europe Electorate
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