Digital Forensic Research Lab

Flags of Moldova and the autonomous region of Gagauzia fly next to a church in Comrat, the capital of the autonomous region of Gagauzia, Moldova March 2, 2023. REUTERS/Vladislav Culiomza

Fri, May 12, 2023

A Russian footprint in Moldovan regional elections

Pro-Russian Telegram channels attempt to influence the voting process in Moldova's Gagauzia Autonomous Territory

by Victoria Olari

Eastern Europe Elections

Thu, May 11, 2023

Dubious Moroccan Facebook and Twitter accounts boost content critical of journalist Omar Radi and European Parliament

European Parliament’s condemnation of Morocco’s media crackdowns results in suspicious cross-platform amplification of pro-Moroccan response

Facebook Morocco
creenshot of May 4 Telegram video showing Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin standing in front of dozens of dead soldiers {blurred] and excoriating Kremlin military leadership for not providing Wagner with adequate ammunition supplies. Warning: original source video contains graphic footage. (Source: Kyepka Prigozhina/archive)

Fri, May 5, 2023

Russian War Report: Prigozhin threatens Wagner withdrawal from Bakhmut

Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin threatened to withdraw forces from Bakhmut following conflict with Russian military leadership over resources.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

People hold Jordanian national flags as they take part in a protest during a teachers' strike in Amman, Jordan, October 3, 2019.

Thu, May 4, 2023

Jordan’s digital crackdowns target media and human rights activists

Jordanian authorities monitor and harass journalists and activists to control the information environment

by Dina Sadek

Civil Society Human Rights
Satellite imagery showing the Mariupol Dramteatr before and after the March 2022 attack. More than 600 people sheltering in the theatre died when Russia bombed the building. (Source: Google Earth)

Fri, Apr 28, 2023

Russian War Report: Updated Google Earth imagery details destruction in Mariupol

New satellite imagery reveals the extent of the Russian bombing of Mariupol that occurred in late March 2022.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei addresses the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly in Tehran, September 2022.

Thu, Apr 27, 2023

Iran-linked website targets Georgia’s ethnic Azerbaijani community with anti-West content

Iran-based website aimed at ethnic Azerbaijanis in Georgia publishes narratives supporting Russia and Hezbollah

by Sopo Gelava

Azerbaijan Caucasus
An Azerbaijani musician performs during Navruz celebrations in the Georgian town of Marneuli, March 21, 2006. (Source: Reuters/David Mdzinarishvili)

Thu, Apr 27, 2023

Facebook sources targeting Georgia’s Azerbaijani minority reflect pro-West outlook

A DFRLab review of Facebook pages popular among Georgia's Azerbaijani ethnic minority finds pro-West sentiments, including towards the EU, NATO and Ukraine

by Eto Buziashvili

Azerbaijan Georgia
قائد قوات الدعم السريع اللواء محمد حمدان دقلو يتحدث خلال مؤتمر صحفي في مقر قوات الدعم السريع بالخرطوم، ١٩ فبراير ٢٠٢٣ (المصدر: رويترز، محمد نور الدين عبد الله)

Tue, Apr 25, 2023

حسابات تويتر مشبوهة تضخم بشكل مصطنع صورة زعيم الميليشيات السودانية وسط النزاع المسلح

شبكة حسابات استخدمت محتوى منسوخ للترويج لسرديات مساندة لقوات الدعم السريع ومحمد حمدان "حميدتي" دقلو

by Tessa Knight

Arabic Conflict
RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, aka Hamedti, speaks at a ceremony to sign the framework agreement between military rulers and civilian powers in Khartoum, Sudan December 5, 2022. (REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig)

Tue, Apr 25, 2023

حسابات تويتر يشتبه بأنها مسروقة تروّج للقوى السودانية شبه العسكرية

اكثر من ٠ ٠ ٩ حساب تدعم تغريدات قوة الدعم السريع السودانية وقائدها محمد حمدان "حميدتي" دقلو، مع اندلاع الصراع المسلح في السودان

by Tessa Knight

Arabic Conflict
People hold a banner as they attend the Immortal Regiment march on Victory Day in Moscow, May 9, 2022. (Source: Reuters/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo)

Fri, Apr 21, 2023

Russian War Report: Russia cancels Victory Day parades and moves “Immortal Regiment” marches online

Russia continues ramping up its attacks in eastern Ukraine while canceling its Victory Day parade in areas bordering Russian-annexed Ukrainian territory.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Twitter CEO Elon Musk. (Source: Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)

Fri, Apr 21, 2023

State-controlled media experience sudden Twitter gains after unannounced platform policy change

Twitter accounts run by Russia’s RT, China’s CGTN and Iran’s PressTV suddenly began to gain followers; Twitter acknowledged a change in policy regarding state media accounts three weeks later

by Alyssa Kann

Business China
قائد قوات الدعم السريع اللواء محمد حمدان دقلو يتحدث خلال مؤتمر صحفي في مقر قوات الدعم السريع بالخرطوم، ١٩ فبراير ٢٠٢٣ (المصدر: رويترز، محمد نور الدين عبد الله)

Wed, Apr 19, 2023

Suspicious Twitter accounts artificially amplify Sudanese paramilitary leader amid armed conflict

Network of accounts routinely copy-pastes content to promote pro-RSF narratives and its leader, Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo

by Tessa Knight

Conflict East Africa