First modification:
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, misinformation plays a major role in the conflict. Moscow has used this hybrid warfare weapon in preparation for its military offensive. An information strategy launched by Vladimir Putin to support his narrative and justify his entry into the war. Outdated or manipulated videos and images are being shared on social media on both sides of the border.
In his justification for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian president is above all concerned with reversing the roles, making the aggressor appear to be the victim. In his last speeches, Vladimir Putin presented himself as the liberator of Ukraine, especially when he affirmed on Wednesday, February 23, his will to “protect the people who suffer from the intimidation and genocide of the Kiev regime.” This narrative of genocide is not based on any evidence.
He has also raised the idea of a “junta” in power in Ukraine, as Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, mentioned, something that is not limited to the facts, since the Ukrainian president Volodímir Zelenski was elected democratically, without the shadow of a coup.
Finally, when Vladimir Putin talks about the “denazification” of Ukraine, he is again creating a false discourse. Although there are extremist groups in Ukraine, as in the rest of Europe, the country is not under the Nazi yoke.
false flag attacks
To support the thesis of a Russia attacked by Ukraine, numerous false information circulates on social networks, such as the so-called false flag attacks. Indeed, several videos, which supposedly show the violence perpetrated by the Ukrainians, circulate on the networks, although they are montages.
For example, a video showing several soldiers advancing on the ground in an armored vehicle is circulating. The caption states that these are Ukrainian soldiers illegally entering Russian territory, not far from the town of Mityakinskaya. In reality, the scene takes place 180 kilometers further south, in an area controlled by pro-Russian separatists. In addition, the vehicle used, a BTR-70M, does not correspond to the equipment of the Ukrainian Army, which makes it impossible for it to be a Ukrainian attack. These facts were reinstated thanks to the investigation of open source experts, such as the Bellingcat collective.
censorship and propaganda
The narrative transmitted by these false videos is taken up by the official media, such as the Tass agency, and the Russian and transnational media Sputnik and RT. Together they participate in establishing the same narrative. Russia’s Internet watchdog Roskomnadzor specifies that “the media are obliged to use information they receive only from official Russian sources,” under penalty of sanctions. There is no space for independent stories.
Thus, many Russians who live a few kilometers from the violent fighting accuse the Ukrainians of aggression or believe in a special operation limited to Donbass. For example, a retired military academy professor questioned by the AFP agency explained: “Russia is carrying out tactical training on its territory. Its mission? Not to allow an invasion of Russia.”
For Vladimir Karavayev, a former official of the Soviet Communist Party, the conflict is limited to the Donbass region and is justified. “No, I don’t think (the conflict) is on a large scale. I’m not sure. Also, there is an injustice there (in Ukraine): the Nazis came to power,” he said on Friday.
Misinformation spreads through social media
This disinformation and propaganda take advantage of a context of information fog, in which the avalanche of information makes it difficult to verify. A blessing to flood Telegram, TikTok, Twitter and other social networks with fake news. The war now makes the work on the ground even more difficult.
Whether on the Russian or Ukrainian side, many fake videos have been shared by netizens on social media. For example, a 12-second video allegedly showing an attack on the city of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine on February 24 was posted by a Twitter account. The caption states “Mariupol bombings are recorded, Ukraine is under attack”, the video has gained tens of thousands of reactions on networks.
However, the video actually shows an electrical storm in the Russian city of Volzhsk on June 28, 2021, as verified by the EFE agency with the original recording provided by the author.
Dozens of images supposedly reflect how the conflict in Ukraine is evolving, however, sometimes they are videos from previous years, from other conflicts, and also from locations that are not related to the two countries.
On social media, led by Twitter, experts from the Open Source Intelligence (Osint) community use free software and open sources to unravel fact from fiction. In particular, they use precise geolocation tools, metadata analysis, detection of visual and/or sound modifications. A considerable counterweight to massive disinformation.
*Text adapted from its original in French
First modification:
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, misinformation plays a major role in the conflict. Moscow has used this hybrid warfare weapon in preparation for its military offensive. An information strategy launched by Vladimir Putin to support his narrative and justify his entry into the war. Outdated or manipulated videos and images are being shared on social media on both sides of the border.
In his justification for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian president is above all concerned with reversing the roles, making the aggressor appear to be the victim. In his last speeches, Vladimir Putin presented himself as the liberator of Ukraine, especially when he affirmed on Wednesday, February 23, his will to “protect the people who suffer from the intimidation and genocide of the Kiev regime.” This narrative of genocide is not based on any evidence.
He has also raised the idea of a “junta” in power in Ukraine, as Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, mentioned, something that is not limited to the facts, since the Ukrainian president Volodímir Zelenski was elected democratically, without the shadow of a coup.
Finally, when Vladimir Putin talks about the “denazification” of Ukraine, he is again creating a false discourse. Although there are extremist groups in Ukraine, as in the rest of Europe, the country is not under the Nazi yoke.
false flag attacks
To support the thesis of a Russia attacked by Ukraine, numerous false information circulates on social networks, such as the so-called false flag attacks. Indeed, several videos, which supposedly show the violence perpetrated by the Ukrainians, circulate on the networks, although they are montages.
For example, a video showing several soldiers advancing on the ground in an armored vehicle is circulating. The caption states that these are Ukrainian soldiers illegally entering Russian territory, not far from the town of Mityakinskaya. In reality, the scene takes place 180 kilometers further south, in an area controlled by pro-Russian separatists. In addition, the vehicle used, a BTR-70M, does not correspond to the equipment of the Ukrainian Army, which makes it impossible for it to be a Ukrainian attack. These facts were reinstated thanks to the investigation of open source experts, such as the Bellingcat collective.
censorship and propaganda
The narrative transmitted by these false videos is taken up by the official media, such as the Tass agency, and the Russian and transnational media Sputnik and RT. Together they participate in establishing the same narrative. Russia’s Internet watchdog Roskomnadzor specifies that “the media are obliged to use information they receive only from official Russian sources,” under penalty of sanctions. There is no space for independent stories.
Thus, many Russians who live a few kilometers from the violent fighting accuse the Ukrainians of aggression or believe in a special operation limited to Donbass. For example, a retired military academy professor questioned by the AFP agency explained: “Russia is carrying out tactical training on its territory. Its mission? Not to allow an invasion of Russia.”
For Vladimir Karavayev, a former official of the Soviet Communist Party, the conflict is limited to the Donbass region and is justified. “No, I don’t think (the conflict) is on a large scale. I’m not sure. Also, there is an injustice there (in Ukraine): the Nazis came to power,” he said on Friday.
Misinformation spreads through social media
This disinformation and propaganda take advantage of a context of information fog, in which the avalanche of information makes it difficult to verify. A blessing to flood Telegram, TikTok, Twitter and other social networks with fake news. The war now makes the work on the ground even more difficult.
Whether on the Russian or Ukrainian side, many fake videos have been shared by netizens on social media. For example, a 12-second video allegedly showing an attack on the city of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine on February 24 was posted by a Twitter account. The caption states “Mariupol bombings are recorded, Ukraine is under attack”, the video has gained tens of thousands of reactions on networks.
However, the video actually shows an electrical storm in the Russian city of Volzhsk on June 28, 2021, as verified by the EFE agency with the original recording provided by the author.
Dozens of images supposedly reflect how the conflict in Ukraine is evolving, however, sometimes they are videos from previous years, from other conflicts, and also from locations that are not related to the two countries.
On social media, led by Twitter, experts from the Open Source Intelligence (Osint) community use free software and open sources to unravel fact from fiction. In particular, they use precise geolocation tools, metadata analysis, detection of visual and/or sound modifications. A considerable counterweight to massive disinformation.
*Text adapted from its original in French
First modification:
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, misinformation plays a major role in the conflict. Moscow has used this hybrid warfare weapon in preparation for its military offensive. An information strategy launched by Vladimir Putin to support his narrative and justify his entry into the war. Outdated or manipulated videos and images are being shared on social media on both sides of the border.
In his justification for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian president is above all concerned with reversing the roles, making the aggressor appear to be the victim. In his last speeches, Vladimir Putin presented himself as the liberator of Ukraine, especially when he affirmed on Wednesday, February 23, his will to “protect the people who suffer from the intimidation and genocide of the Kiev regime.” This narrative of genocide is not based on any evidence.
He has also raised the idea of a “junta” in power in Ukraine, as Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, mentioned, something that is not limited to the facts, since the Ukrainian president Volodímir Zelenski was elected democratically, without the shadow of a coup.
Finally, when Vladimir Putin talks about the “denazification” of Ukraine, he is again creating a false discourse. Although there are extremist groups in Ukraine, as in the rest of Europe, the country is not under the Nazi yoke.
false flag attacks
To support the thesis of a Russia attacked by Ukraine, numerous false information circulates on social networks, such as the so-called false flag attacks. Indeed, several videos, which supposedly show the violence perpetrated by the Ukrainians, circulate on the networks, although they are montages.
For example, a video showing several soldiers advancing on the ground in an armored vehicle is circulating. The caption states that these are Ukrainian soldiers illegally entering Russian territory, not far from the town of Mityakinskaya. In reality, the scene takes place 180 kilometers further south, in an area controlled by pro-Russian separatists. In addition, the vehicle used, a BTR-70M, does not correspond to the equipment of the Ukrainian Army, which makes it impossible for it to be a Ukrainian attack. These facts were reinstated thanks to the investigation of open source experts, such as the Bellingcat collective.
censorship and propaganda
The narrative transmitted by these false videos is taken up by the official media, such as the Tass agency, and the Russian and transnational media Sputnik and RT. Together they participate in establishing the same narrative. Russia’s Internet watchdog Roskomnadzor specifies that “the media are obliged to use information they receive only from official Russian sources,” under penalty of sanctions. There is no space for independent stories.
Thus, many Russians who live a few kilometers from the violent fighting accuse the Ukrainians of aggression or believe in a special operation limited to Donbass. For example, a retired military academy professor questioned by the AFP agency explained: “Russia is carrying out tactical training on its territory. Its mission? Not to allow an invasion of Russia.”
For Vladimir Karavayev, a former official of the Soviet Communist Party, the conflict is limited to the Donbass region and is justified. “No, I don’t think (the conflict) is on a large scale. I’m not sure. Also, there is an injustice there (in Ukraine): the Nazis came to power,” he said on Friday.
Misinformation spreads through social media
This disinformation and propaganda take advantage of a context of information fog, in which the avalanche of information makes it difficult to verify. A blessing to flood Telegram, TikTok, Twitter and other social networks with fake news. The war now makes the work on the ground even more difficult.
Whether on the Russian or Ukrainian side, many fake videos have been shared by netizens on social media. For example, a 12-second video allegedly showing an attack on the city of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine on February 24 was posted by a Twitter account. The caption states “Mariupol bombings are recorded, Ukraine is under attack”, the video has gained tens of thousands of reactions on networks.
However, the video actually shows an electrical storm in the Russian city of Volzhsk on June 28, 2021, as verified by the EFE agency with the original recording provided by the author.
Dozens of images supposedly reflect how the conflict in Ukraine is evolving, however, sometimes they are videos from previous years, from other conflicts, and also from locations that are not related to the two countries.
On social media, led by Twitter, experts from the Open Source Intelligence (Osint) community use free software and open sources to unravel fact from fiction. In particular, they use precise geolocation tools, metadata analysis, detection of visual and/or sound modifications. A considerable counterweight to massive disinformation.
*Text adapted from its original in French
First modification:
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, misinformation plays a major role in the conflict. Moscow has used this hybrid warfare weapon in preparation for its military offensive. An information strategy launched by Vladimir Putin to support his narrative and justify his entry into the war. Outdated or manipulated videos and images are being shared on social media on both sides of the border.
In his justification for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian president is above all concerned with reversing the roles, making the aggressor appear to be the victim. In his last speeches, Vladimir Putin presented himself as the liberator of Ukraine, especially when he affirmed on Wednesday, February 23, his will to “protect the people who suffer from the intimidation and genocide of the Kiev regime.” This narrative of genocide is not based on any evidence.
He has also raised the idea of a “junta” in power in Ukraine, as Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, mentioned, something that is not limited to the facts, since the Ukrainian president Volodímir Zelenski was elected democratically, without the shadow of a coup.
Finally, when Vladimir Putin talks about the “denazification” of Ukraine, he is again creating a false discourse. Although there are extremist groups in Ukraine, as in the rest of Europe, the country is not under the Nazi yoke.
false flag attacks
To support the thesis of a Russia attacked by Ukraine, numerous false information circulates on social networks, such as the so-called false flag attacks. Indeed, several videos, which supposedly show the violence perpetrated by the Ukrainians, circulate on the networks, although they are montages.
For example, a video showing several soldiers advancing on the ground in an armored vehicle is circulating. The caption states that these are Ukrainian soldiers illegally entering Russian territory, not far from the town of Mityakinskaya. In reality, the scene takes place 180 kilometers further south, in an area controlled by pro-Russian separatists. In addition, the vehicle used, a BTR-70M, does not correspond to the equipment of the Ukrainian Army, which makes it impossible for it to be a Ukrainian attack. These facts were reinstated thanks to the investigation of open source experts, such as the Bellingcat collective.
censorship and propaganda
The narrative transmitted by these false videos is taken up by the official media, such as the Tass agency, and the Russian and transnational media Sputnik and RT. Together they participate in establishing the same narrative. Russia’s Internet watchdog Roskomnadzor specifies that “the media are obliged to use information they receive only from official Russian sources,” under penalty of sanctions. There is no space for independent stories.
Thus, many Russians who live a few kilometers from the violent fighting accuse the Ukrainians of aggression or believe in a special operation limited to Donbass. For example, a retired military academy professor questioned by the AFP agency explained: “Russia is carrying out tactical training on its territory. Its mission? Not to allow an invasion of Russia.”
For Vladimir Karavayev, a former official of the Soviet Communist Party, the conflict is limited to the Donbass region and is justified. “No, I don’t think (the conflict) is on a large scale. I’m not sure. Also, there is an injustice there (in Ukraine): the Nazis came to power,” he said on Friday.
Misinformation spreads through social media
This disinformation and propaganda take advantage of a context of information fog, in which the avalanche of information makes it difficult to verify. A blessing to flood Telegram, TikTok, Twitter and other social networks with fake news. The war now makes the work on the ground even more difficult.
Whether on the Russian or Ukrainian side, many fake videos have been shared by netizens on social media. For example, a 12-second video allegedly showing an attack on the city of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine on February 24 was posted by a Twitter account. The caption states “Mariupol bombings are recorded, Ukraine is under attack”, the video has gained tens of thousands of reactions on networks.
However, the video actually shows an electrical storm in the Russian city of Volzhsk on June 28, 2021, as verified by the EFE agency with the original recording provided by the author.
Dozens of images supposedly reflect how the conflict in Ukraine is evolving, however, sometimes they are videos from previous years, from other conflicts, and also from locations that are not related to the two countries.
On social media, led by Twitter, experts from the Open Source Intelligence (Osint) community use free software and open sources to unravel fact from fiction. In particular, they use precise geolocation tools, metadata analysis, detection of visual and/or sound modifications. A considerable counterweight to massive disinformation.
*Text adapted from its original in French