Digital Forensic Research Lab

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, Ali Chenrose

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, Ali Chenrose

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, Ali Chenrose

Conflict East Africa
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 18, 2023

Potentially hijacked Twitter accounts promote Sudanese paramilitary force

Over 900 accounts appear to boost tweets from the RSF and its leader, Mohamed Hamdan "Hemetdi" Dagalo, as armed conflict sweeps across Sudan

by Tessa Knight, Ali Chenrose

Conflict East Africa
A Ukrainian artillery unit operates from muddy trenches near the frontline during heavy fighting close to Bakhmut, Ukraine, April 13, 2023. (Source: Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach)

Fri, Apr 14, 2023

Russian War Report: Russian army presses on in Bakhmut despite losses

Bakhmut remains a major conflict zone with dozens of attacks on Ukrainian forces there, despite Russian forces sustaining heavy losses.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attend a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Russia and Belarus at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia April 6, 2023. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Fri, Apr 7, 2023

Russian War Report: Belarus accuses Ukraine of plotting terrorist attack

Belarus' KGB accused Ukraine of plotting an attack on a Russian consulate in the Belarusian city of Grodno. Belarus also confirmed it would accept Russian tactical nuclear weapons.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Photo of a mural of Sarah Hegazi in Amman, which has now been painted over. (Source: Raya Sharbain/Wikimedia Commons)

Wed, Apr 5, 2023

Anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns spread on Arabic social media

The World Cup fueled online and offline campaigns promoting anti-LGBTQ sentiment and hateful rhetoric

by Dina Sadek, Ali Chenrose

Algeria Civil Society