Politics & Diplomacy

Ukrainian first responders attempt to quash a fire ignited by a Russian missile attack in Zaporizhzhia, October, 11, 2022. (Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine via Reuters Connect

Fri, Oct 14, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia escalates war by targeting cities across Ukraine

Russia escalated its war against Ukraine this week with missile attacks and airstrikes on cities across the country, including the first serious attack in the capital Kyiv in months.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Belarus Civil Society
Footage shows the aftermath of the morning shelling in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Thursday Oct 6, 2022. 7 missile strikes on Zaporizhzhia! Destroyed residential buildings, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. Rescue workers are now combing through the shattered remains of one elegant five-storey apartment building. Zaporizhzhia regional head Oleksandr Starukh said one woman was killed. Another seven people, including a three-year-old child, were injured. The Ukrainian-held city is the capital of the eponymous Zaporizhzhia region, which Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week declared annexed, along with three other Ukrainian regions - Donetsk and Luhansk in the east, and Kherson in the south. Ukraine and its Western allies condemned the move. Moscow does not fully control any of the four regions, and in recent weeks Ukrainian troops have made significant advances in the the country's north-east and south. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine via EYEPRESS)

Fri, Oct 7, 2022

Russian War Report: Ukraine recaptures territory as Russia uses Iranian drone near Kyiv

Russia has began its use of Iranian-made drones to try and slow the Ukrainian counter-offensive, a mass grave found near Lyman, and Russian Telegram praises the “pro-Russia” coup in Burkina Faso.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Africa Conflict
Ceremony to declare Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian territories held in Moscow

Fri, Sep 30, 2022

Russian War Report: Putin illegally annexes Ukrainian territory

On September 30, Russian President Putin officially annexed four Ukrainian oblasts, incorporating them into Russia. The announcement was met with swift global condemnation.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi waves while leaving the parliament in Taipei, Taiwan, August 3, 2022.

Tue, Sep 13, 2022

How Chinese social media reacted to Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan visit

Interest in Pelosi visit skyrocketed on Weibo before news fatigue set in.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

China Disinformation
Ukrainian soldiers on patrol, August 29, 2022. (Source: Latin America News Agency via Reuters Connect)

Fri, Sep 2, 2022

Russian War Report: Ukraine counterattacks in Kherson as Russia prepares new deployments

Ukrainian forces targeted Russian military command-and-control elements in northwestern Kherson, while Russian forces attempted a limited ground assault in the same area.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

CHINESE DISCOURSE POWER: ASPIRATIONS, REALITY, AND AMBITIONS IN THE DIGITAL DOMAIN

Wed, Aug 24, 2022

Chinese discourse power: Ambitions and reality in the digital domain

The CCP has embarked on a concerted strategy to gain control over the global digital and information environment. Its goal: create an alternative global order with China at its heart.

by Kenton Thibaut

Gustavo Petro receives the presidential sash during his swearing-in ceremony in Bogota, August 7, 2022. Petro was among several candidates targeted by so-called “disinformation for hire” campaigns. (Source: REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez)

Thu, Aug 11, 2022

Colombian PR firms used Facebook ads to spread disinfo on presidential candidates

Facebook ads, websites, and fringe media spread disinformation about several candidates, including President Gustavo Petro.

by Daniel Suárez Pérez

Americas Colombia
Ukrainian troops using French anti-aircraft guns on a CAESAR howitzer wheeled chassis to attack Russian aircraft, June 8, 2022. (Source: Reuters/General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine)

Thu, Jul 21, 2022

How Russia promoted the claim that Ukraine re-sold French howitzers for profit

Kremlin media amplified narrative until mainstream coverage on the risk of weapons smuggling allegedly gave it credence.

by Roman Osadchuk

Deceptive Content Manipulation Disinformation

Wed, Jul 20, 2022

Twitter campaign targeting detained Indian activist based on misleading tweet

Teesta Setalvad, arrested for probing Modi’s role in 2002 Gujarat riots, targeted online by BJP supporters and other Hindu nationalists.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Civil Society Human Rights

Thu, Jul 14, 2022

Transphobic misinformation trends on Twitter after Highland Park shooting

Right-wing accounts spread harmful narratives associating transgender people with violent behavior and mental illness.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Civil Society Disinformation

Thu, Jul 7, 2022

Cracks emerge in Russia’s ‘Digital Iron Curtain’

Kremlin-controlled outlets maintain presence on Facebook and Twitter despite the platforms being banned in Russia.

by Nika Aleksejeva

Civil Society Digital Policy

Sat, Jun 25, 2022

US right-wing influencers stoke fears of left-wing mass violence after Supreme Court ruling on abortion

Contextualizing narratives about political violence surrounding the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling.

by Jared Holt

Civil Society Disinformation