Digital Forensic Research Lab

Image: Screenshot from a video released by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Main Directorate of Intelligence.

Thu, Sep 14, 2023

Russian War Report: Ukraine’s Black Sea offensive retakes oil rigs near Crimea

Ukrainian soldiers board what appears to be the Tavrida oil drilling rig near the waters of Crimea. Russia protests actions by Armenia.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Screencaps of a viral Douyin video of animated panda flight attendants welcoming Ya Ya’s arrival with the song, “Ya Ya Come Home.”

Thu, Sep 14, 2023

Panda exchange program targeted by misinformation, driving anti-US narratives in China

Chinese media capitalized on emotionally resonant rumors about alleged panda abuse in the United States amid deteriorating US-China relations

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Asia China
Russian paratroopers walk past an Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane during ZAPAD 21 exercises in Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia, September 13, 2021. Satellite imagery suggests that drones destroyed four 1l-76 transports at Pskov airport on August 29, 2023. (Source: Reuters/Vitaly Nevar)

Tue, Sep 12, 2023

Russian media spread rumors accusing Baltic states of drone attack

Unsupported claims from Russian media and Telegram blamed Latvia and Estonia for perpetrating August 29 attack on Pskov airport

by Valentin Châtelet, Sayyara Mammadova

Baltics Estonia
2022-08-26T093420Z_1266290118_MT1EYEIM251957_RTRMADP_3_RUSSIA-CONTROLLED-ZAPORIZHZHIA-NUCLEAR-PLANT-1024x576

Thu, Sep 7, 2023

Russian War Report: A new recruitment push for fighters from Russia to Hungary

The Russian National Guard and a private Hungarian foreign legion have launched campaigns to recruit soldiers to fight in Ukraine.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Neo-Nazis march in front of Los Angeles City Hall, April 17, 2010. (Source: Lionel Hahn/ABACAPRESS.COM via Reuters Connect)

Wed, Sep 6, 2023

Anti-LGBTQ+ narratives connect disparate neo-fascist groups

Neo-Nazi groups are taking their online collaborations offline as they continue to threaten LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities

by Meghan Conroy and Jon Lewis

Extremism United States
BANNER: Dilma Rousseff, former president of Brazil and current president of the New Development Bank, speaks at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, August 23, 2023.

Wed, Sep 6, 2023

BRICS narratives critical of US influence spread in Brazil prior to summit

Discussion on social media platforms focused on de-dollarization and waning US influence

by Beatriz Farrugia

Brazil Buzzsumo

Tue, Sep 5, 2023

Anti-Ukraine Telegram network targets audiences in nine languages

Network is linked to a former member of the Security Service of Ukraine

by Givi Gigitashvili

Disinformation Facebook

Tue, Sep 5, 2023

Former Jordan MP promotes anti-LGBTQ+ Twitter campaign

Escalation in anti-LGBTQ+ activity takes place as Jordan adopts draconian amendments to cybercrime law

by Dina Sadek

Disinformation Government
Guatemala City, Guatemala.- In the photos taken on August 14, 2023, authorities are packing electoral materials and documents that will be used on August 20 for the second round. The elections will see a former first lady compete against the son of a former president. Unemployment, corruption and the high cost of living are on voters' minds as they head to the polls on August 20.

Thu, Aug 17, 2023

Far-right Twitter network targets Guatemala’s presidential election

Twitter network backed Guatemala’s Public Ministry amidst attempts to suspend political party Movimiento Semilla

by Esteban Ponce de León

Americas Elections

Thu, Aug 17, 2023

Prigozhin-owned media outlets experienced narrative whiplash during and after Wagner mutiny

Online outlets operated by Prigozhin’s Patriot Media Group initially supported his actions, but switched to pro-Putin rhetoric once the mutiny ended

by Givi Gigitashvili

Conflict Disinformation
Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves the headquarters of the Southern Military District amid the group's pullout from the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023. (Source: Reuters/Alexander Ermochenko)

Thu, Aug 17, 2023

How Russian pro-war Telegram channels addressed the Wagner mutiny

Wagner-affiliated Telegram channels saw tremendous growth as some pro-war channels vacillated on which side to support

by Givi Gigitashvili, , Roman Osadchuk

Propaganda Russia
A still image from a bodycam footage, released by Russia's Defence Ministry, shows what it said to be crew members kneeling down in a cockpit during an operation held by Russian navy officers to board the Palau-flagged Sukru Okan vessel with the help of a Ka-29 military helicopter in the Black Sea on August 13, 2023, in this image taken from video published August 15, 2023. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT. WATERMARK FROM SOURCE.

Thu, Aug 17, 2023

Russian War Report: Tensions escalate in the Black Sea as the Russian navy forcefully inspects a civilian cargo ship

Russia escalated tensions beyond Ukraine again this week when its navy forcibly inspected and fired warning shots at a civilian cargo ship.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab