Europe & Eurasia

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

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
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

Ukrainian service members fire a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launch system, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Bakhmut, Donetsk region Ukraine June 12, 2022. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Fri, Jun 17, 2022

Russian War Report: Russian governor accuses Ukraine of launching multiple attacks on Kursk 

The governor of Russia's Kursk Oblast accused Ukrainian forces of opening fire on two locations in the region. Meanwhile, pro-Kremlin Telegram channels recycle narratives about Western weapon sales again.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Belarusian soldiers from the Unit 103rd Vitebsk Guard Aircraft Brigade conduct joint combat exercises with police units in the Gomel region of Belarus, Feb 16, 2022. (Source: Eyepress via Reuters Connect)

Fri, Jun 3, 2022

Russian War Report: Signs of renewed Belarusian troop movements towards Ukrainian border

Belarusian troops seem to be on the move again toward their border with Ukraine while the Kremlin spreads claims of killed NATO officers and blames the West for global food shortages.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Tue, May 31, 2022

Polish-language Telegram channels spread anti-refugee narratives

The DFRLab identified 27 Telegram channels spreading anti-refugee disinformation as Ukrainians flee to Poland.

by Esteban Ponce de León, Givi Gigitashvili

API Civil Society
A camouflaged Russian tank outside the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar, Ukraine, March 16, 2022. (Source: Reuters/Energoatom)

Fri, May 27, 2022

Russian War Report: Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels claim Ukraine is building a “dirty bomb”

Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels misrepresented comments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to claim Ukraine was producing a “dirty bomb.”

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Banner image: Incendiary weapons explode above the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, Ukraine. (Source: @faceofwar/archive)

Fri, May 20, 2022

Russian War Report: Russian forces use incendiary munitions in Mariupol

New photo and video evidence suggests that the Russian military continues to use incendiary and cluster munitions against Ukrainian forces.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Thu, May 19, 2022

Telegram channels and youth groups rally against Riga following Victory Day controversy

The city of Riga sparks pro-Russian outrage after voting to demolish Soviet monument and arresting pro-Kremlin activist.

by Nika Aleksejeva

Electorate Government (Includes international governing bodies)