Social Media

Wed, May 18, 2022

How Russia attempts to widen its arsenal of pro-war propaganda

Kremlin seeks to maintain domestic support by marketing patriotic symbols and slogans, from the letter Z to “I am not ashamed."

by Eto Buziashvili

Botnets Conflict
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

Bonnie and Clyde’s cameo during Russian Victory Day celebrations. (Source: @JuliaDavisNews/archive)

Tue, May 10, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia accidentally honors Bonnie and Clyde during Victory Day celebration

During a Victory Day celebration, Kremlin TV featured a photo of infamous American criminals Bonnie and Clyde during a slideshow of alleged Soviet WWII veterans.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Tue, May 10, 2022

Videos in Spanish created by Kremlin outlets reappear on YouTube despite restrictions

Multiple channels used same branding of restricted pro-Kremlin media, garnering thousands of subscribers and views in less than a month.

by Daniel Suárez Pérez, Esteban Ponce de León

Buzzsumo Disinformation
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

Logo of Russia’s Channel One program “AntiFake,” which presents propaganda and disinformation as fact-checking.

Wed, May 4, 2022

How Russia employs fake fact-checking in its disinformation arsenal

Kremlin-aligned outlets embrace open-source research and fact-checking tropes to make disinformation more convincing.

by Ingrid Dickinson

CrowdTangle Disinformation
File photo of Russian firefighter. (Source: EMERCOM)

Tue, May 3, 2022

Russian War Report: New fires and alleged sabotage operations across Russian territory 

Over the past week, numerous strategic facilities on Russian territory have caught fire drawing accusation of sabotage. 

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

In this photo illustration the Google Maps logo seen displayed on a smartphone and in the background. (Photo by Rafael Henrique / SOPA Images/Sipa USA)No Use Germany.

Wed, Apr 20, 2022

Russian War Report: Google refutes misleading claims about blurring Russian military assets

Thousands of posts online claim Google Maps unblurred satellite images of Russian military installations. Meanwhile, Russia hesitates to ban YouTube and a troll campaign distracts from Bucha.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

A sailor looks at the Russian missile cruiser Moskva moored in the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Sevastopol, Ukraine 10, 2013. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

Fri, Apr 15, 2022

Russian War Report: Competing narratives about the sinking of Russia’s Moskva warship

Following Ukraine's alleged sinking of Russia's Moskva warship just off the coast of Odesa, the Kremlin's narrative as to why has continued to shift.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Rossiya TV video claiming to show Ukrainians dressing mannequins actually originated from behind-the-scenes footage of a Russian TV series. (Source: Rossiya TV)

Wed, Apr 13, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia promotes misleading video accusing Ukraine of using mannequins as casualties

Kremlin-controlled TV network Rossiya 24 broadcast a misleading video claiming that mannequins were being used in Ukraine to stage war casualties.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Content moderator

Mon, Apr 11, 2022

Russian War Report: Facebook takes down inauthentic networks targeting Ukraine

Facebook removed an online Russian and Belarusian network targeting Ukrainians named Ghostwriter while more Russian Twitter accounts turn to VK and Telegram.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

France, Paris, 2022-03-05. Paris demonstration in support of Ukraine, place de la Republique. Ukrainian, Georgian and European flags are flying in the wind. Photography by Sandrine Marty / Hans Lucas. France, Paris, 2022-03-05. Manifestation parisienne de soutien a l Ukraine, Place de la Republique. Les drapeaux Ukrainien, georgiens et europeen flottent au vent. Photographie par Sandrine Marty / Hans Lucas.

Wed, Apr 6, 2022

Russian War Report: Ukraine accuses Georgia of allowing Russian smuggling through its territory

Ukraine has accused Georgia of facilitating Russian smuggling out of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Alexei Navalny calls for Kremlin propaganda to be treated as a war crime.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab