Social Media

Smoke rises after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, August 9, 2022. (Source: Reuters)

Fri, Aug 12, 2022

Russian War Report: Satellite imagery confirms destruction of aircraft at Crimea airbase

Satellite imagery confirms the destruction of Crimea's Saki airbase and debunking "Ukraine sells weapons" narratives.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

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

Fri, Jul 22, 2022

Russia War Report: Russia accuses Ukraine of creating ‘monster’ troops in biolabs

Russian officials are spreading the newest iteration of the conspiracy that suggests the United States is running secret biolabs in Ukraine, this time suggesting that Ukraine has created experimental “monster” troops.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Conflict Crisis Management
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

Fri, Jul 8, 2022

Wagner Group continues involvement in Russian operations in Eastern Ukraine

Russian mercenaries maintaining a relatively low profile in Ukraine, unlike their presence in Africa and Syria.

by Ruslan Trad

Africa Conflict

Fri, Jul 8, 2022

Pro-Kremlin Telegram channel linked to inauthentic Facebook assets from Côte d’Ivoire

Alleged NGO from Côte d’Ivoire ran inauthentic Facebook assets that promoted its expanding pro-Russia Telegram channel.

by Tessa Knight

Africa Civil Society

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

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

Fri, Jun 24, 2022

Newly elected Colombian congressperson spread falsehoods on his YouTube channel prior to election

Elected congressman Jonathan Ferney Pulido Hernández posted misleading videos targeting Colombian President Iván Duque and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

by Daniel Suárez Pérez

Buzzsumo Colombia
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