Ukraine attacked Russia with “ISIS’ hand”. The story of an FSB/ex-KGB branded narrative

Ukraine has been accused of being responsible for the terrorist attack in Moscow. Originally published on Telegram, the thesis was developed by Vladimir Putin and his close siloviki, the current and former head of the FSB, Alexander Bortnikov and Nikolai Patrushev, both ex-KGB, like Putin. The narrative rids the Russian authorities of all responsibility, plays well into the rhetoric about the Ukrainian-Western aggression and can be used to escalate the war. Arguments in its defense include falsehoods and an older conspiracy theory.

25 Mar
Poland local elections: confidence in the pro-European camp, increasingly vocal pro-Russians

The Polish conservatives are heading for a second defeat in 6 months, this time in local elections. Meanwhile, as pro-Europeans are trying to reset the system, the pro-Russians are increasingly vocal.

21 Mar
Putin re-elected: consolidating the dictatorship and Russia’s “break” with Europe

The presidential “election” in Russia is the pinnacle of a long series of crimes, abuses and diversions designed to turn Putin's dictatorship into a totalitarian system in the truest sense of the word. Launched as an iron-fisted regime meant to speed up the country's structural modernization, Putin's dictatorship ultimately led to Russia's complete break with Europe and its firm anchoring in the Asian political model.

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Editorials & analyses

The fear of a Russian invasion is taking a psychological toll in Latvia

The fear of war with Russia is taking a psychological toll on Latvians. Authorities are trying to reassure them, pointing that Moscow lacks the capacity to wage war against NATO.

Breaking Fake News
Iohannis at NATO: what the president and Romania could win
Iulian Comănescu
Iulian Comănescu  |  18 Mar 2024

Iohannis at NATO: what the president and Romania could win

The candidacy of Klaus Iohannis for head of NATO can benefit Romania. Iohannis's chance lies in the differences of opinion between East and West regarding the strategy of the Alliance.


Sexual harassment and the conservatism of Romanian society

Sexual harassment and the conservatism of Romanian society

A scandal about the sexual harassment of dozens of students in journalism has brought this phenomenon, still widespread in Romania, including in education institutions, back into focus. However, the issue seems to be of little concern to Romanian society or the authorities that should prevent and sanction it. Psychologists say harassment is linked to power relations in a conservative, male-dominated society.

Ariana Coman
Ariana Coman
12 Mar 2024
Georgia’s oligarch is back. Will he steer the country towards Russia?

Georgia’s oligarch is back. Will he steer the country towards Russia?

With elections looming this year, Georgia’s éminence grise, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, returned to politics. Shortly after that, a new, pro-Russian premier was appointed.

Diana Shanava
Diana Shanava
11 Mar 2024
Orban’s dance: one step backwards with Russia, one step forward towards sovereignists and Iran

Orban’s dance: one step backwards with Russia, one step forward towards sovereignists and Iran

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has slightly distanced himself from Russia for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine, but he has moved closer to the sovereigntists. This "dance" has very much to do with the interest in a post of European Commissioner.

Ioana Dumitrescu
Ioana Dumitrescu
08 Mar 2024
Transnistria asks for Moscow's protection to scare Chișinău. Tiraspol’s bluff: the annexation to Russia

Transnistria asks for Moscow's protection to scare Chișinău. Tiraspol’s bluff: the annexation to Russia

The alarmist predictions that Transnistria will call for the annexation to Russia or that Putin will announce the move in his speech before the Russian State Duma turned out to be unfounded. Separatists called on Moscow to protect them “through diplomatic measures”, but it seems to be an attempt to obtain concessions from Chișinău sooner than a step towards joining the Russian Federation.

Corneliu Rusnac
Corneliu Rusnac
02 Mar 2024
FAKE NEWS: Electric cars are more polluting than the classic ones
Cezar Manu
Cezar Manu  |  26 Mar 2024

FAKE NEWS: Electric cars are more polluting than the classic ones

Electric cars are more polluting than the classic ones, announces part of the Romanian press, citing a study that compares engine and tire emissions.

WAR PROPAGANDA: Russia needs a buffer-zone to protect itself from Ukraine

WAR PROPAGANDA: Russia needs a buffer-zone to protect itself from Ukraine

Russia will create a buffer zone on Ukrainian territory to protect its civilians from Kyiv's bombings, according to pro-Kremlin media developing an idea voiced by the Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
20 Mar 2024
FAKE NEWS: Writer arrested in Switzerland for manipulating public opinion

FAKE NEWS: Writer arrested in Switzerland for manipulating public opinion

A writer was arrested in Switzerland for manipulating public opinion, reads a false narrative picked up in Romania by a publication spreading xenophobic, racist and anti-Semitic themes.

Cezar Manu
Cezar Manu
19 Mar 2024
FAKE NEWS: Moldova will deploy troops in Ukraine under French flag

FAKE NEWS: Moldova will deploy troops in Ukraine under French flag

Moldovan servicemen might fight in Ukraine under French flag, the Russian media writes, commenting on the signing of a French-Moldovan security agreement.

Veridica
Veridica
18 Mar 2024
WAR PROPAGANDA: Peace, achievable only by annexing Ukraine

WAR PROPAGANDA: Peace, achievable only by annexing Ukraine

The capitulation of Ukraine and its reunification with Russia is the only viable peace plan, says former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, cited by the pro-Kremlin propaganda.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
15 Mar 2024

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