Security & Defense

Vladimir Putin justifies his invasion of Ukraine.

Sun, Feb 27, 2022

Kremlin media used claims of Ukraine creating a dirty bomb to justify invasion

The narrative was amplified by various Russian outlets and circulated on multiple social media platforms prior to Putin invading Ukraine.

by Eto Buziashvili

Conflict Disinformation
A screencap shows the spread of meme against the alliance of Poland, the United Kingdom and Ukraine in Facebook groups

Sat, Feb 26, 2022

Polish social media accounts revive anti-Ukrainian sentiments

Poland expects to host around one million Ukrainian refugees amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

by Givi Gigitashvili

Central Europe Conflict

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

Fri, Feb 18, 2022

Russian War Report: Evacuations begin in Ukrainian breakaway regions

The Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab tracks Kremlin allegations of mass graves in Donbas, troop movements, and more.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Residents of Donetsk line up at an ATM machine after receiving evacuation orders on February 18, 2022.

Fri, Feb 18, 2022

How ten false flag narratives were promoted by pro-Kremlin media

Russian media actively portrays the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics as victims of Ukrainian aggression.

by Givi Gigitashvili, Roman Osadchuk

Disinformation Government
People gather in support of a coup that ousted President Roch Kabore in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, January 25, 2022.

Thu, Feb 17, 2022

Local support for Russia increased on Facebook before Burkina Faso military coup

Pro-Russian support increased in the Sahel, with residents of Burkina Faso holding Russian flags while celebrating recent coup.

by Tessa Knight and Allan Cheboi

Africa Conflict

Tue, Feb 15, 2022

Russian War Report: Military camps close in on border as Kremlin accelerates false-flag narratives

While the Kremlin announced that some units have begun loading equipment onto trains to return to their bases, the DFRLab continues to observe other units positioning themselves closer to Ukraine's northeast border with Russia.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Fri, Feb 11, 2022

Russian War Report: Belarus threatens to arm firefighters as military exercises kick off

The Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab tracks the latest Russian troop movements and Kremlin-pushed narratives around NATO, Germany, and more.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Tue, Feb 8, 2022

Russian War Report: Missile battalion confirmed in Belarus 

The Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab tracks the latest Russian military movements and other developments in the Kremlin's hybrid war against Ukraine.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Tue, Feb 8, 2022

Russian War Report: New evidence of accelerated military build-up near Ukraine

The Council’s open-source researchers reveal the latest Russian troop, aircraft, and weapons movements around Ukraine, along with new Kremlin disinformation efforts. 

by Digital Forensic Research Lab