We live in a world where information flows 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year across the many and varied forms of social media and other digital platforms that people use every day. While there’s a lot of good to be had, this is also how disinformation strategies are implemented, creating a critical global issue.
Intentionally spreading fake news and disinformation results in disrupted societies, threatens the stability of nations, including the United States and Ukraine, as well as eroding trust in the government and its officials.
Russia is one of the biggest players in the misinformation being spread around the world and has taken it to a sophisticated new level. Russia disinformation tactics are both domestic and international attempts to mislead and weaken adversaries. The first step in combating the disinformation Russia is spreading is gaining an understanding of what it is, as well as being aware of its consequences. These measures protect nations around the world.
The answer to the question of “what is Russian disinformation” is an important first step to taking action to thwart it. The answer is that it’s a careful and precise effort carried out in a deliberate way in order to spread false claims, fake news and other distorted information. The goal is to alter public opinion and spread confusion and chaos at the same time.
Misinformation can sometimes be blamed on mistakes, but disinformation is created purposely, with the goal of deceiving or disrupting an individual, organization or government. Russia disinformation campaigns are often deployed via social media, state controlled media sources, and websites built to propagate conspiracy theories. Such content strikes at people’s emotions, which drives political discord, social division, and confusion.
Russia disinformation dates back as far as the Soviet era when propaganda techniques were widespread in newspapers and on the television and radio. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union used “active measures” to influence opinions around the world, discredit their opponents, and promote the Communist ideology. Among the disinformation strategies used included black propaganda, forgeries, and the widespread distribution of rumors and lies about the West to weaken those nations and drive support for Soviet policies.
After the Soviet Union collapsed, the tactics involved with Russia disinformation evolved, becoming ever more sophisticated and targeted. Russia continued using many of the disinformation strategies employed by the Soviet Union, but adapted them to be workable with the new digital media.
Today’s disinformation is flexible and adaptable, using various forms of technology, including social media, to target a wider audience and increase the impact of the propaganda. The core goals have also shifted slightly. Rather than trying to merely sow discord, new Russia disinformation campaigns work to create chaos and to weaken the alliances of rival countries.
The goals of Russia disinformation are highly strategized and include the following:
Destabilizing political systems - false narratives and the exploitation of social divisions are two ways that Russia is working to undermine trust in governments and political processes.
Weakening alliances - Russia disinformation also targets alliances among other nations, such as NATO and the European Union, by creating division that interferes with the response to its attacks.
Advancing Geopolitical Interests - the Russia disinformation war also manipulates public opinion and places favor on Russian geopolitical aims, with the goal of inhibiting Western influence in Eastern Europe.
Shaping Perceptions: Russia wants to gain control of the narrative, particularly around important global issues, in an effort to cast adversaries in a negative light, while casting Russia in a positive light.
The many and varied Russia disinformation ploys used by the country work to achieve their goals of spreading chaos and confusion and include the following:
Social media is one of the most prevalent ways that Russia spreads disinformation, using bots and fake accounts to get the job done. The fake accounts spread fake news on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
When users like, share or comment, it creates an illusion of dissent, making the reach of the fake news even more widespread. Inauthentic behaviors, such as a group of accounts posting the same false claims at the same time makes it look like a particular piece of propaganda is gaining traction.
Spreading fake news and stories is another Russia disinformation method that is used to share false claims about political figures, social issues, and international events. By exploiting biases, Russia effectively creates false narratives that feel relevant to certain groups of people. One example is during the 2016 election when Russian operatives exacerbated political divides by releasing fake news about both conservative and liberal candidates.
Along with disinformation campaigns often come cyberattacks and hacking, with the goal of obtaining sensitive information that can then be leaked or altered to discredit a specific person, organization, or government.
Examples include the hacking of the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 election and the release of emails gathered. Not only do such actions create distrust and discord, but they also discredit the target of the propaganda.
The influence operations used in Russia go far beyond propaganda to include a broad range of other activities, including supporting certain extremist groups, funding desired political movements and creating relationships with relevant influential political figures. The goal is to shape political policies and alter perceptions, especially as related to the public and important decision makers.
Former Russia Today and Sputnik are two examples of media that is controlled by the state, and they play a big role in Russia disinformation. On the surface, both sources look legitimate, but underneath they are heavily involved in spreading pro-Russian content, aiming to discredit Western nations. They are rife with conspiracy theories and fake news, which is amplified when the content is spread by other people involved in disinformation.
For many years, Ukraine has been one of the biggest targets of Russia disinformation. After Crimea was annexed in 2014, Russia launched a huge disinformation campaign to destabilize the nation and justify its actions after the conflict with east Ukraine. Claims that the country was run by fascists and extremists had profound impacts on Ukraine.
Alongside Ukraine, the EU has also been heavily targeted by Russia, especially as it relates to elections and politics in general. Russia has used propaganda to exploit immigrants, destabilize economics, and Euroscepticism. By weakening cohesion in the EU, chaos and confusion spreads.
The United States became a major target of Russia propaganda during its campaign years. For example in 2016, Russia interfered by manipulating social media, cyberattacks and fake news to sow discord and influence the results of the election. Fake news from Russia includes topics like gun control, immigration, and race.
Fighting disinformation is a multi-pronged process that requires technology, public awareness and policy. Media literacy is especially effective as it educates the general public about the dangers of propaganda and how to identify it. Governments also play a role by creating legislation, creating regulations and imposing sanctions that protect against cyberattacks.
Technology is a powerful way to combat disinformation. Osavul is a highly effective tool that detects, identifies and analyzes propaganda so a timely response can be carried out.
How it works - Osavul makes use of algorithms and machine learning to scan digital websites and platforms to find patterns that indicate potential propaganda. Effectiveness - Osavul offers warnings and insights into disinformation, allowing stakeholders to react quickly.
Case studies - one example of Osavul’s effectiveness is in regards to a public health campaign in Europe that tracked disinformation about vaccines, minimizing its negative impact.
Disinformation out of Russia is a persistent and scary issue that has global impacts. With its ever evolving strategies and sophistication, there’s a huge potential to sow discord, disrupt narratives, manipulate social media, carry out cyberattacks and exploit vulnerabilities around the world.
Effects can be seen in the United States, Ukraine and the European Union, where propaganda has disrupted elections, exacerbated societal divisions, and weakened trust in governments. Taking control of this threat requires a swift and multi faceted approach, designed to combat disinformation through public awareness campaigns, promoting media literacy, the use of highly specialized technological systems, along with international cooperation.
As disinformation strategies continue to evolve, so too must the measures taken to combat them, with the ultimate hope being that countries are safeguarded against the menacing threat that is Russia.
