Politics & Diplomacy

Belarusian protesters from the organization Women of Minsk openly protest the invasion of Ukraine. (Source: @Tsihanouskaya/Twitter)

Fri, Mar 4, 2022

Russian War Report: Global crackdown on Russian state-affiliated media continues as Russia blocks Facebook

In response to the invasion of Ukraine, governments and corporations have implemented new regulations and policies to mitigate the reach of Russian state-affiliated media within their borders and on their services. 

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Facebook logo displayed on a phone screen and Russian flag displayed on a screen in the background.

Wed, Mar 2, 2022

Russian War Report: Social platforms crack down on Kremlin media as Kremlin demands compliance

Google, Meta, and Twitter are taking action against Russian state-owned media accounts to limit the spread of harmful information online.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Bilibili video in support of Vladimir Putin overlaid by users with the war cry, “Ura!”

Tue, Mar 1, 2022

Top comments on Chinese social media criticize the West while supporting Putin

Most popular comments on Weibo and Bilibili express support for Russia invading Ukraine.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

China Electorate

Mon, Feb 28, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia retaliates against anti-war celebrities as social platforms crack down on Russian media

Meta, Patreon, and Twitter are taking action against Russian accounts, while Russian celebrities are facing pushback for their views, according to the Council's open-source researchers.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

A crude deepfake depicts opposition activist Pavel Latushka as a drunk individual climbing in and out of a car trunk, before calling on citizens to make a “sober decision” to support Lukashenka’s referendum. “FAKE” stamp added by the DFRLab.

Thu, Feb 24, 2022

Lukashenka regime undermines Belarusian opposition prior to referendum

Government critics lack a unified strategy as constitutional referendum gets underway.

by Nika Aleksejeva

Belarus Eastern Europe

Thu, Feb 24, 2022

Russian War Report: Belarus joins conflict against Ukraine

The Council's open-source researchers break down the Kremlin's latest moves online and on the battlefield in its war in Ukraine.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

A tank drives along a street in the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk, Ukraine, February 22, 2022.

Tue, Feb 22, 2022

Russian outlets steadily increased claims that Ukraine will start a war

Russian media mentions of “Ukrainian aggression” narratives increased 50 percent in January 2022 compared with the two prior months.

by Eto Buziashvili, Esteban Ponce de León

Disinformation Government

Tue, Feb 22, 2022

Russian War Report: Despite debunking of false flags, Putin recognizes breakaway republics

The Council's open-source researchers break down how the Kremlin is seeking to justify incursions in Ukraine, and where the troops are moving.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Malians holds a Russian flag and a photograph with an image of coup leader Colonel Assimi Goita during a pro-Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) demonstration in Bamako, Mali, May 28, 2021.

Thu, Feb 17, 2022

Pro-Russian Facebook assets in Mali coordinated support for Wagner Group, anti-democracy protests

Coordinated network promoted military junta in months leading up to France’s decision to withdraw from the country.

by Jean le Roux

Africa CrowdTangle
Financing & Genocide: Development Finance and the Crisis in the Uyghur Region

Wed, Feb 16, 2022

DFRLab releases Financing & genocide: Development finance and the crisis in the Uyghur Region

The DFRLab releases a joint investigation revealing how the World Bank’s private lending arm has several investments in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

China Government
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi bump elbows during the signing ceremony of a 25-year cooperation agreement in Tehran, March 27, 2021.

Mon, Feb 14, 2022

A moment of truth for China’s vaccine diplomacy in Iran

Iranian officials echoed Chinese messaging while touting vaccines and criticizing the United States.

by Simin Kargar

China Coronavirus
Then-German Navy Chief Kay-Achim Schönbach (left) visits Lieutenant General Chandi Prasad Mohanty (right) during his January 2022 visit to New Delhi, India. Schönbach resigned on January 22, after arguing at an event during his visit that Putin deserves respect and Kyiv will never win back annexed Crimea.

Fri, Feb 4, 2022

Kremlin outlets exploit suspicious user comments on German Navy chief’s resignation

Outlets cited suspicious comments giving the impression they represented broader German public opinion.

by Eto Buziashvili, Max Rizzuto

Business Disinformation