Russia

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
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

Mon, Mar 27, 2023

How pro-Russia and pro-China influencers cross-promote state narratives

Influencers critical of the West have formed a mutually beneficial community on Twitter, amplifying Russian and Chinese state narratives on a range of issues

by Kenton Thibaut

China COVID-19
Footage published by RIA Novosti shows Vladmir Putin’s entourage reacting after a woman reportedly yelled “This all is not true! It’s all for a show!” The clip was later edited out by the Kremlin.

Fri, Mar 24, 2023

Russian War Report: Kremlin edits footage of Mariupol visit to remove women shouting at Putin

After Putin was yelled at in Mariupol, the Kremlin cut the exchange from their official video. RIA Novosti published the whole interaction.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

A Russian serviceman walks past the Operational Group of Russian Forces headquarters in Tiraspol, in Moldova's self-proclaimed separatist Transnistria, November 3, 2021. The banner reads "Army of Russia." REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Mon, Mar 20, 2023

Russia builds a “special information operation” around Transnistria

Rhetoric increasingly pushes idea of military conflict in the separatist region of Moldova

by Victoria Olari

Conflict Defense Policy
A Ukrainian soldier of the Paratroopers' of 80th brigade listens to artillery fire a frontline position near Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura

Fri, Mar 17, 2023

Russian War Report: DFRLab confirms aerial strikes on industrial plants north of Bakhmut

As Russian forces continue their offensive on Bakhmut, the DFRLab examined satellite imagery to reveal the potential of missile attacks.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

A protester wrapped in a Georgian national flag raises hands while standing in front of law enforcement officers during a rally against the "foreign agents" law in Tbilisi, Georgia, March 7, 2023. REUTERS/Zurab Javakhadze

Tue, Mar 14, 2023

How the Kremlin misrepresented a video to claim Georgian protesters seek war with Russia

Footage from a protest in Tbilisi was presented with false context to accuse protesters of seeking war in the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Abkhazia

by Sopo Gelava

Conflict Disinformation
Ukrainian service members from a battalion, named of nom-de-guerre of their commander 'Da Vinci', Hero of Ukraine, who was killed in a fight against Russian troops, fire a howitzer M119 at a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the city of Bakhmut, Ukraine March 10, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak bakhmut

Fri, Mar 10, 2023

Russian War Report: Russian army advances toward Bakhmut, but its offensive capabilities remain unclear

The Russian army advances toward Bakhmut while a large-scale russian air attack targets civilian infrastructure.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Participants protest against a draft law on “foreign agents” during a rally outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, March 8, 2023. (Source: Reuters/Irakli Gedenidze)

Fri, Mar 10, 2023

The Kremlin and Georgian Dream spread similar narratives about protests in Georgia

Narratives attempt to discredit protesters, blame the West for public dissent

by Eto Buziashvili, Sopo Gelava

Civil Society Corruption

Thu, Mar 9, 2023

Seven steps to spread a conspiracy: How Russia promoted weapons trade allegations

Kremlin sources planted and amplified fake stories about Western weapons destined for Ukraine being sold in Germany

by Roman Osadchuk

Disinformation Electorate
DFRLab satellite analysis shows increased Russian aerial activity on the Saki military airbase in western Crimea. (Source: DFRLab via Planet.com)

Fri, Mar 3, 2023

Russian War Report: DFRLab confirms increased Russian air force activity as Kremlin strives to achieve air dominance

Russia intensified its air power in recent weeks across airfields in Crimea and Rostov Oblast. Elsewhere, Russia continues to pressure Bahkmut.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab