Disinformation: Latest news, analysis, video interviews, video reports

(Pro)Russian propaganda sees connections between biological weapons and the Nova Kakhovka dam

(Pro)Russian propaganda sees connections between biological weapons and the Nova Kakhovka dam

Russia has claimed for years that Ukraine has biological laboratories and says its attack was meant to destroy those labs. The narrative was also included in the disinformation about the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam.

Cătălin Gomboș
Cătălin Gomboș
10 Oct 2023
Ukraine wants a nuclear incident: one of Russia's major fake narratives

Ukraine wants a nuclear incident: one of Russia's major fake narratives

The (Pro)Russians claim that Ukraine will cause a nuclear incident. The narrative is meant to undermine support for Kiev and has been promoted in Eastern Europe as well.

Cătălin Gomboș
Cătălin Gomboș
09 Oct 2023
INTERVIEW: Russia’s disinformation in its Baltic “sphere of interest”

INTERVIEW: Russia’s disinformation in its Baltic “sphere of interest”

The Baltic States are being targeted by Russian disinformation which is using both narratives launched before the war in Ukraine and newer ones.

Kaspars Germanis
Kaspars Germanis
28 Sep 2023
Bulgaria: steps to limit Moscow’s influence and a flood of pro-Russian narratives

Bulgaria: steps to limit Moscow’s influence and a flood of pro-Russian narratives

Bulgaria has been facing an uptick in pro-Russian disinformation, just as the country’s pro-Western government is questioning Moscow’s influence – and moves – in the country.

Svetoslav Todorov
Svetoslav Todorov
15 Sep 2023
Czechia: Pro-Russian and anti-US narratives are spread through local outlets

Czechia: Pro-Russian and anti-US narratives are spread through local outlets

Pro-Russian narratives are spreading in the Czech Republic despite Prague’s efforts to stop them. A treaty with the US is their latest target.

Michael Švec
Michael Švec
21 Jun 2023
The narratives about Transnistria draw public attention away from Russia’s plans to destabilize Moldova and its defeats in Ukraine

The narratives about Transnistria draw public attention away from Russia’s plans to destabilize Moldova and its defeats in Ukraine

From disinformation spread by propaganda regarding the imminence of a war in Transnistria, Russia has now moved to official statements about Ukraine’s plans to invade the separatist region of the Republic of Moldova. Transnistria seems to be used to draw attention away from Russia’s plan to destabilize Moldova, as well as from the defeats sustained in Ukraine. Besides, the pro-Russian opposition in Chișinău could take advantage of the panic induced by the prospect of war.

Corneliu Rusnac
Corneliu Rusnac
01 Mar 2023
Romania in 2022: Top FAKE NEWS & DISINFORMATION narratives debunked by Veridica

Romania in 2022: Top FAKE NEWS & DISINFORMATION narratives debunked by Veridica

The war in Ukraine, sovereigntist rhetoric and conspiracy theories regarding the so-called sanitary dictatorship were the topics of scores of disinformation narratives and fake news published in Romania in 2022. They were promoted by/on various media outlets (România liberă, Național, Activenews, GoldFM, gândește.org etc.) as well as on social media by controversial figures such as Sorin Roșca Stănescu, Cosmin Gușă, Diana Șoșoacă and Adrian Severin.

Cătălin Gomboș
Cătălin Gomboș
09 Jan 2023
The Republic of Moldova 2022: Top FAKE NEWS & DISINFORMATION debunked by Veridica

The Republic of Moldova 2022: Top FAKE NEWS & DISINFORMATION debunked by Veridica

The war launched by Russia in Ukraine also led to an intensification of the use of propaganda materials, fake news and disinformation targeting the Republic of Moldova. The goal was to discredit the West and undermine the values it promotes, but also to blame the pro-European government for the economic and social issues initially triggered by the Covid pandemic, then by the war.

Veridica
Veridica
06 Jan 2023
Ukraine in 2022: Top FAKE NEWS, DISINFORMATION and PROPAGANDA narratives debunked by Veridica

Ukraine in 2022: Top FAKE NEWS, DISINFORMATION and PROPAGANDA narratives debunked by Veridica

Classical disinformation themes and fake news were increasingly replaced with war propaganda as an instrument of publicizing Moscow’s false narratives. The purpose of these narratives, irrespective of how they were presented to audiences, was to manipulate public opinion, to legitimize Russia’s actions, to conceal war crimes and atrocities committed in Ukrainian settlements, to shatter the Ukrainians’ morale and fighting spirit, as well as to spread a controlled form of chaos in the proximity of ex-Soviet space.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
04 Jan 2023
WAR PROPAGANDA: The Germans are disappointed by the EU’s decision to financially support Ukraine

WAR PROPAGANDA: The Germans are disappointed by the EU’s decision to financially support Ukraine

According to a propaganda narrative carried by the pro-Kremlin media, German society is outraged by the EU's decision to provide financial assistance to Kyiv in the context of the war, with such discontent reflected in the pages of national newspapers. In reality, only a few comments from Die Welt newspaper were selected and presented as the opinion of all Germans. Also, the news translated into Russian was intentionally misrepresented.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
15 Dec 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The Ukrainian army sustained such huge losses, that school children are forced to donate blood for Ukrainian servicemen

WAR PROPAGANDA: The Ukrainian army sustained such huge losses, that school children are forced to donate blood for Ukrainian servicemen

The losses sustained by Ukraine’s army are so huge, that Ukrainian pupils are forced to donate blood for the servicemen, according to a propaganda narrative disseminated by the Russian media. In fact, underage children are forbidden from donating blood in Ukraine, and the authors of this false narrative made other errors that clearly prove the story was fabricated.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
12 Dec 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The United States has been arming Ukraine since 2014 to push it to war against Russia

WAR PROPAGANDA: The United States has been arming Ukraine since 2014 to push it to war against Russia

The United States and its Western allies have been arming Ukraine since 2014 in order for it to start a war with Russia, writes the Russian press, which resumes, in another form, the narrative according to which the West and Ukraine are responsible for the war. In reality, Ukraine was invaded by Russia, and the provision of arms to Kyiv was a reaction to Russia’s aggression.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
05 Dec 2022
The Euro is poised to become the next target of disinformation in Bulgaria

The Euro is poised to become the next target of disinformation in Bulgaria

As pro-Europeans in Sofia are confident that Bulgaria will switch to the Euro in 2024 pro-Russian parties claim the adoption of the EU single currency will only bring economic instability. Debates and heated exchanges on this topic might become part of the political landscape in the next two years. Disinformation is bound to be part of the picture.

Svetoslav Todorov
Svetoslav Todorov
30 Nov 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Moscow shows restraint when bombing Ukraine because it knows the population doesn’t support the neo-Nazi government

WAR PROPAGANDA: Moscow shows restraint when bombing Ukraine because it knows the population doesn’t support the neo-Nazi government

Russia is careful when bombing Ukrainian infrastructure because it knows this brotherly people does not support the neo-Nazis in power, reads a false propaganda narrative published by Russian media. The article quotes a controversial American political theorist, known for spreading countless conspiracy theories and for his enthusiastic support of Vladimir Putin.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
29 Nov 2022
Russia wants to use refugees to cause a rift in Ukrainian society

Russia wants to use refugees to cause a rift in Ukrainian society

Russia’s war in Ukraine has displaced a huge number of Ukrainian refugees. Millions of people fled Ukraine, heading to other European countries, although many chose to relocate to some of the country’s safer areas. Russia has been trying to turn this crisis to its advantage. In EU countries, it has been promoting false narratives designed to generate public hostility towards Ukrainian refugees. In the case of Ukrainians relocated at national level, Russian propaganda sought to focus on fueling public unrest and internal tensions.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
28 Nov 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Belarus and Russia form joint military group to defend against Ukrainian terror attacks and potential NATO aggression

WAR PROPAGANDA: Belarus and Russia form joint military group to defend against Ukrainian terror attacks and potential NATO aggression

Belarus and Russia are forced to create a joint military group to defend themselves against a potential NATO aggression, fascist provocations by Poland and terrorist actions by Ukraine, according to propaganda narratives carried by the two countries’ media. In reality, Belarus is not targeted by any foreign power, but it has allowed Russia to use its territory for the aggression against Ukraine.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
07 Nov 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine's unemployed will be drafted and sent to the front

WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine's unemployed will be drafted and sent to the front

The unemployed in Ukraine will be sent to the front, according to a false narrative disseminated by Russian state media. In reality, the government in Kyiv wants to attract people who have lost their jobs into the process of rebuilding the Ukrainian infrastructure, part of a project symbolically called the “Recovery Army”.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
04 Nov 2022
Verdict in the Sandy Hook defamation trial – It’s not about the money, it’s about telling the truth

Verdict in the Sandy Hook defamation trial – It’s not about the money, it’s about telling the truth

Alex Jones, one of the best known American conspiracy theorists, was sentenced to pay nearly 1 billion USD after claiming for years the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting never actually took place and was actually staged. The sentence represents a landmark for combating the increasingly toxic phenomenon of fake news. The battle might have been won, but the war wages on.

Ionuț Iamandi
Ionuț Iamandi
28 Oct 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Hundreds of thousands of casualties among the Ukrainian soldiers, confirmed by a Kyiv general

WAR PROPAGANDA: Hundreds of thousands of casualties among the Ukrainian soldiers, confirmed by a Kyiv general

A general in Kyiv has announced that the Ukrainian army has lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the war with Russia, according to a propaganda narrative launched by the pro-Kremlin media to sow panic in Ukrainian society and discourage resistance. In reality, General Sergey Krivonos spoke of civilian casualties as a result of Russia's war against Ukraine.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
27 Sep 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The partial mobilization ordered by Putin will prevent a nuclear disaster and will lead to a de-escalation of the conflict and diplomatic dialogue

WAR PROPAGANDA: The partial mobilization ordered by Putin will prevent a nuclear disaster and will lead to a de-escalation of the conflict and diplomatic dialogue

After Vladimir Putin decreed the partial military mobilization, Russian state media launched a series of false narratives justifying the decision. Partial mobilization is presented as a step towards de-escalation, a measure necessary for diplomatic dialogue and the prevention of a nuclear disaster or a war on Russian territory.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
22 Sep 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The Izium massacre was fabricated in order to compromise the Russian army

WAR PROPAGANDA: The Izium massacre was fabricated in order to compromise the Russian army

The Russian army is not responsible for the Izium massacre, which was framed by the West or represents an act of provocation from Kyiv, which is killing Russian speakers in the Kharkiv region, a new Russian propaganda narrative reads. The narrative was launched after the Ukrainian army discovered mass graves in the Izium area with the remains of hundreds of people, some appearing to have been the victims of swift executions, as well as the rooms where civilians were tortured.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
21 Sep 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The Government in Kyiv has voiced mistrust in its Western partners

WAR PROPAGANDA: The Government in Kyiv has voiced mistrust in its Western partners

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said it no longer trusts its Western partners, who don’t want peace in Ukraine, reads a propaganda narrative published by the Russian state media. Oleksii Reznikov’s statement was taken out of context. The Ukrainian official referred to a prospective multilateral peace agreement once Russia has surrendered and a constructive dialogue with the West.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
16 Sep 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Poland will launch a war against Russia in the next 10 years

WAR PROPAGANDA: Poland will launch a war against Russia in the next 10 years

The Polish Defense Ministry announced it would launch a war against Russia within the next 10 years, according to a propaganda narrative disseminated by the Russian government media. In fact, Poland’s Government adopted an endowment program also designed to increase the number of troops in the context of the war in Ukraine possibly spilling over into Poland’s territory.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
15 Sep 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Residents of the Zaporizhzhia region are waiting for the liberation of the cities of Mykolaiv, Kharkiv and Odesa from the Ukrainian Nazis

WAR PROPAGANDA: Residents of the Zaporizhzhia region are waiting for the liberation of the cities of Mykolaiv, Kharkiv and Odesa from the Ukrainian Nazis

Residents of the Zaporizhzhia region are waiting for Russia to liberate the cities of Mykolaiv, Kharkiv and Odesa, which have been oppressed by Ukrainian Nazis for the past decades, the pro-Kremlin media say. In fact, all these localities have been the target of Russian aggression and bombing, and the majority of Ukrainians – including the inhabitants of the Zaporizhzhia region – consider Russia an enemy.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
09 Sep 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The IAEA mission praised the Russian army for defending the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant from Ukrainian bombing

WAR PROPAGANDA: The IAEA mission praised the Russian army for defending the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant from Ukrainian bombing

According to the pro-Kremlin media, experts with the International Atomic Energy Agency have allegedly praised the Russian army for defending the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant from Ukrainian bombing. In reality, there is no report or statement by IAEA experts expressing this point of view anywhere, the source cited being, in fact, the pro-Russian separatist leader Yevhen Balytskyi.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
07 Sep 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Anthony Fauci has confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was produced in Ukrainian labs

WAR PROPAGANDA: Anthony Fauci has confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was produced in Ukrainian labs

The former US chief epidemiologist has publicly admitted that US laboratories in Ukraine were involved in the production of the coronavirus, according to media in Russia and in the self-proclaimed Luhansk republic. The so-called news is a fabrication: there is no statement by Anthony Fauci regarding the production of viruses or other biological weapons in Ukraine.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
05 Sep 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Terrorists are trained on EU territory with a view to launching attacks against the civilian population in Donbas

WAR PROPAGANDA: Terrorists are trained on EU territory with a view to launching attacks against the civilian population in Donbas

European Union Member States have created centers for training mercenaries and terrorists who will kill civilians in Donbas, reads a recent propaganda narrative promoted by the Russian government media. In fact, the EU doesn’t have any such centers on its territory. European Union Member States have repeatedly condemned international terrorism and have called on Russia to stop its armed aggression against Ukraine.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
30 Aug 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Due to Kyiv’s neo-Nazi propaganda, Ukrainians don’t understand that Russia is here to liberate, not occupy them

WAR PROPAGANDA: Due to Kyiv’s neo-Nazi propaganda, Ukrainians don’t understand that Russia is here to liberate, not occupy them

Due to Kyiv’s propaganda efforts in the last eight years, Ukrainians fail to understand that the Russian soldiers are there to liberate them, and mistakenly believe Russia is the occupier, according to false narratives promoted by Kremlin-linked media. In fact, Russia launched a conquest war, provoking the death of thousands of people and wide-reaching destruction.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
28 Aug 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The USA will cause a nuclear disaster in Ukraine to conceal evidence of their biological weapons laboratories

WAR PROPAGANDA: The USA will cause a nuclear disaster in Ukraine to conceal evidence of their biological weapons laboratories

The United States wants a nuclear disaster to happen at the Zaporizhzhia NPP in order to wipe out any evidence of their biological weapons labs, reads a false narrative disseminated by the Russian government media. In fact, no Western state wants to see a nuclear incident, all the more so as it might have a powerful global impact, whereas the laboratories manufacturing biological weapons in Ukraine are a fabrication of Russian propaganda.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
25 Aug 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: EU states will ask Ukraine to surrender to Russia

WAR PROPAGANDA: EU states will ask Ukraine to surrender to Russia

EU Member States will ask Ukraine to surrender to Russia and will gradually side with Moscow, according to a false narrative widely disseminated by the Russian media, which references a text published in Foreign Affairs by the former adviser to the head of European diplomacy. In fact, the words of the Italian expert are taken out of context, and the article where she supports Ukraine is misrepresented as pro-Russian.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
12 Aug 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine's crime rate has tripled following the arming of civilians

WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine's crime rate has tripled following the arming of civilians

According to a false narrative carried by the Russian state media, Ukraine's crime rate has tripled because of Kiev's decision to arm the population. In reality, against the background of the country's depopulation and traffic restrictions, the crime rate has dropped. Moreover, not the entire population has been armed, only some volunteer units have been set up.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
09 Aug 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukrainian authorities have abandoned Kherson. The region will unite with Russia, which will protect the Ukrainian language

WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukrainian authorities have abandoned Kherson. The region will unite with Russia, which will protect the Ukrainian language

After the Ukrainian authorities fled Kherson, the new military-civilian administration had to take over power to annex the region to Russia and protect the Ukrainian language and culture, the Russian press writes, citing the self-proclaimed leader Kirill Stremousov. In reality, the authorities in Kherson were evacuated following the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army, which bombards Ukrainian territories daily.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
05 Aug 2022