War via TikTok: Russia’s new tool for propaganda machine
2 years, 10 months ago

War via TikTok: Russia’s new tool for propaganda machine

Associated Press  

The Russian TikTok video has it all: a cat, puppies and a pulsing background beat. Researchers at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab analyzed 3,000 articles by 10 state-owned Russian news outlets and noticed a big increase in unfounded claims that Ukraine was poised to strike separatist groups. “This is the way they go to war; it’s a central part of Russian doctrine,” said Jim Ludes, a former U.S. defense analyst who now directs the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University. “Tucker Carlson Slams Biden for Focusing on Putin, Ukraine Instead of US Domestic Problems,” reads another in Sputnik News, reflecting a common Russian practice: cite government critics in the U.S. to suggest America’s leaders are out of touch. Ludes said he’s been pleased to see the U.S and its allies forcefully push back on Russian disinformation and even seek to preempt it by publicly disclosing Russia’s plans.

Ukraine Russia Disinformation West State Russian Tiktok Ukrainian Accounts Cyabra Ludes  accounts  russian  machine  tiktok  ukraine  tool  disinformation  state  ukrainian  war  propaganda  troops  rt  russia  russias

History of this topic

Russia fires senior commander for false claims about progress of war in Ukraine, military bloggers say
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Russia fires senior commander for false claims about progress of war in Ukraine, military bloggers say

CNN  

CNN — Russia has removed a senior commander from his post for making false claims about the progress of the war in parts of eastern Ukraine, according to military bloggers and Russian media. Colonel General Gennady Anashkin, the commander of the South Forces Group, was dismissed after providing misleading information about Russia’s progress near the Siversk settlement in the eastern …

This is what Russian propaganda looks like in 2024
7 months ago

This is what Russian propaganda looks like in 2024

NPR  

This is what Russian propaganda looks like in 2024 toggle caption Olga Maltseva/AFP via Getty Images A deepfake video of a State Department official falsely claiming a Russian city is a legitimate target for Ukrainian strikes using U.S. weapons. Sponsor Message "They're often producing narratives that feel like they're throwing spaghetti at a wall," said Andy Carvin, managing editor at …

Dissecting the ‘TikTok problem’
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Dissecting the ‘TikTok problem’

Al Jazeera  

What’s the US’s issue with TikTok? Contributors: Julia Angwin – Tech Policy Writer, New York Times; Founder, Proof News Russel Brandom – Tech Editor, Rest Of The World Marwa Fatafta – MENA Policy and Advocacy Director, Access Now Evan Greer – Director, Fight for the Future On our radar: In yet another deadly raid on Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital, Israel abducted …

From drone videos to selfies at the front, Ukraine is the most documented war ever
1 year, 5 months ago

From drone videos to selfies at the front, Ukraine is the most documented war ever

NPR  

From drone videos to selfies at the front, Ukraine is the most documented war ever Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made this video during a risky trip to Snake Island, 20 miles into the Black Sea, which is dominated by the Russian navy. In this CNN video below, Ukraine's military says it used a naval drone to attack a Russian warship …

Putin claims fighting intensifies in southeastern Ukraine, with Russia inflicting heavy losses
1 year, 5 months ago

Putin claims fighting intensifies in southeastern Ukraine, with Russia inflicting heavy losses

LA Times  

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the plenary session of the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St. Petersburg on Thursday. Fierce fighting raged Thursday in southeastern Ukraine, where a Western official said Kyiv has launched a major push and Russian President Vladimir Putin said “hostilities have intensified significantly.” Battles in recent weeks have taken place on multiple points along the …

Ukraine's Zelenskyy confirms that an offensive against Russia is underway
1 year, 7 months ago

Ukraine's Zelenskyy confirms that an offensive against Russia is underway

NPR  

Ukraine's Zelenskyy confirms that an offensive against Russia is underway Enlarge this image toggle caption Efrem Lukatsky/AP Efrem Lukatsky/AP KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday gave his first formal confirmation that Ukraine's long-awaited offensive was underway against Russian troops. Ukraine's offensive has been gradually coming into focus in recent days, with ground attacks against Russian troops in …

Raids into Russia’s Belgorod aim to stretch forces thin: Analysts
1 year, 7 months ago

Raids into Russia’s Belgorod aim to stretch forces thin: Analysts

Al Jazeera  

Security experts say incursions seek to pull Russian troops away from key battlegrounds as Ukraine plans to launch a major counterattack. “They’ll have to respond to this and put troops there and then have lots of troops all along the border area – even though that may not be the way the Ukrainians are coming.” Russia’s military said on Tuesday …

TikTok propaganda labels fall flat in 'huge win' for Russia
1 year, 9 months ago

TikTok propaganda labels fall flat in 'huge win' for Russia

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A year ago, following …

Russia accuses Ukraine of cross-border attack in Bryansk
1 year, 10 months ago

Russia accuses Ukraine of cross-border attack in Bryansk

Al Jazeera  

President Vladimir Putin has said Russia was hit by a “terrorist attack” in the southern Bryansk region bordering Ukraine, and vowed to crush what he said was a Ukrainian sabotage group that had fired at civilians. Russia’s FSB security service said “Ukrainian nationalists” had been pushed back over the Ukrainian border. “In order to avoid civilian casualties and damage to …

‘It’s all a lie’: Russians are trapped in Putin’s parallel universe. But some want out
1 year, 10 months ago

‘It’s all a lie’: Russians are trapped in Putin’s parallel universe. But some want out

CNN  

CNN — One year ago, when Russia launched its all-out invasion of Ukraine and began Europe’s biggest land war since 1945, it waged another battle at home – intensifying its information blockade in an effort to control the hearts and minds of its own citizens. In the days leading up to last Friday’s one-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion – …

Word war: In Russia-Ukraine war, information became a weapon
1 year, 10 months ago

Word war: In Russia-Ukraine war, information became a weapon

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II, and the first to see algorithms and TikTok videos deployed alongside fighter planes and tanks. And there’s the risk of international complacency.” A look at Russia’s disinformation war since the conflict began: DIVIDE AND CONQUER The Kremlin’s propaganda efforts against Ukraine began many years …

Word war: In Russia-Ukraine war, information became a weapon
1 year, 10 months ago

Word war: In Russia-Ukraine war, information became a weapon

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Russia's invasion of Ukraine is …

TikTok promises to ramp up fight against disinformation in EU
1 year, 11 months ago

TikTok promises to ramp up fight against disinformation in EU

Deccan Chronicle  

BRUSSELS: Chinese social media company TikTok on Thursday pledged to do more to tackle disinformation on its platform by adding more safety features and broadening its fact-checking measures, spurred by the role played by state-controlled media and the war in Ukraine. Presenting its progress report on what it did to live up to a beefed-up EU code of practice on …

Propaganda videos are circulating to entice soldiers to join the conflict in Ukraine: Reports
2 years ago

Propaganda videos are circulating to entice soldiers to join the conflict in Ukraine: Reports

Firstpost  

Putin announced a “partial” military mobilisation in late September, and when its campaign in Ukraine stalled, more than 300,000 people were called up nationwide Moscow : Reports have emerged suggesting a new campaign launched in Moscow to encourage Russians to enlist in the armed forces and fight in the on-going war with Ukraine, despite the forces having denied needing more …

Explained: The alternate reality of the Ukraine war being presented by Russian state TV
2 years ago

Explained: The alternate reality of the Ukraine war being presented by Russian state TV

Firstpost  

Leaked emails show how Russia’s largest state broadcaster has spun a version of the war in which Russia is winning, Ukraine is in shambles, and Western alliances are fraying. The correspondence was one of thousands of email exchanges stored within a leaked database from Russia’s largest state-owned media company, the All-Russia State Television and Radio Company, known as VGTRK. VGTRK …

Russian state TV pundit makes rare admission of failure in Ukraine
2 years, 2 months ago

Russian state TV pundit makes rare admission of failure in Ukraine

Daily Mail  

Russia miscalculated its strength and is losing the war in Ukraine, an expert told state media last night in a rare and risky outburst. Viktor Olevich, a well-known 'Americanist' within Russia and chief analyst at the Centre for Actual Politics, told viewers and a stunned host that Russia 'cannot win' despite eight months of fighting. Olevich, who was schooled in …

A new Russian strategy is emerging in Ukraine — but alone, it's not enough to win the war
2 years, 2 months ago

A new Russian strategy is emerging in Ukraine — but alone, it's not enough to win the war

ABC  

Over the past fortnight, the contours of a new Russian strategy for Ukraine have emerged. After President Vladimir Putin's declarations of partial mobilisation and annexation of Ukrainian provinces, as well as the Kerch Bridge attack, there has been a reset of Russia's approach. Changing an idea But while Surovikin's initial actions as unified commander have been focused on breaking the …

Russia’s reasons for invading Ukraine ‘nonsense’, says ex-soldier
2 years, 3 months ago

Russia’s reasons for invading Ukraine ‘nonsense’, says ex-soldier

Al Jazeera  

Pavel Filatyev, an ex-Russian soldier now seeking asylum in France, opens up about his experiences of life on the Ukrainian front lines. “When you’re crossing the border and you see 10 warplanes launching missiles overhead, there are 10 helicopters flying in another direction, and tanks riding up alongside you, you know it’s a very serious thing.” In the days leading …

How are pro-Kremlin Russian media portraying Ukraine’s victories?
2 years, 3 months ago

How are pro-Kremlin Russian media portraying Ukraine’s victories?

Al Jazeera  

The narrative has shifted since September 6, when Ukraine began a counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region. According to a recent study, state TV mentions the war less and less while “de-Nazification”, one of the stated goals of Moscow’s “special operation”, barely gets mentioned at all. But we don’t really have a choice.” Even Russia's main sports channel Match TV has …

Six ways Russia launched an all-out propaganda war on Ukraine
2 years, 4 months ago

Six ways Russia launched an all-out propaganda war on Ukraine

The Telegraph  

Russia created a "disinformation and propaganda ecosystem" designed to spread Vladimir Putin's lie that people living in parts of Ukraine were eager for Russian rule. Titled "Russia’s War on Ukraine: Six Months of Lies, Implemented," it shows how state media, social media, and public pronouncements from politicians have been used in an effort to "delegitimise" Ukraine, and "dehumanise" Ukrainians. "Over …

Russia vs Ukraine: The fog of propaganda and disinformation
2 years, 7 months ago

Russia vs Ukraine: The fog of propaganda and disinformation

Al Jazeera  

Four months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we analyse the spread of disinformation and the ongoing propaganda war. On this special edition of The Listening Post, a timeline of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a chronology of our reports – from the build-up, to the invasion, right through the messaging and the media’s news coverage, from around the world. Contributors: …

Russia takes steps to bolster army, tighten grip on Ukraine
2 years, 7 months ago

Russia takes steps to bolster army, tighten grip on Ukraine

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an order Wednesday to fast track Russian citizenship for residents of parts of southern Ukraine largely held by his forces, while lawmakers in Moscow passed a bill to strengthen the stretched Russian army. The chair of the Russian parliament’s defense committee, Andrei Kartapolov, said the measure would make it easier to hire …

Ukraine might be the first 'TikTok war' but Vladimir Putin controls the message at home
2 years, 9 months ago

Ukraine might be the first 'TikTok war' but Vladimir Putin controls the message at home

ABC  

Winning a war is not just determined by who has the most firepower, the better generals or a better strategy. Social media is an important driver of the narrative along with the more traditional channels of information, but banning social platforms, controlling what people can see online and monitoring what people access has become routine for dictators and despotic regimes. …

Analysis: Drones, phones and satellite technology are exposing the truth about Russia’s war in Ukraine in near real-time
2 years, 9 months ago

Analysis: Drones, phones and satellite technology are exposing the truth about Russia’s war in Ukraine in near real-time

CNN  

CNN — Russia’s lies may be catching up with it faster than it ever imagined. The war in Ukraine is defying President Vladimir Putin’s expectations at every turn, not only with Russia’s failure to capture Kyiv as planned but with the war crimes his soldiers are alleged to have committed in Bucha, a city close the capital, exposed for the …

TikTok and Twitter capture Ukraine war in frighteningly real time
2 years, 9 months ago

TikTok and Twitter capture Ukraine war in frighteningly real time

LA Times  

A snowy sidewalk strewn with bloodied bodies. “That’s what Putin’s war looks like.” Close to Kyiv pic.twitter.com/SRsnFm4Cpt — Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 March 25, 2022 Ponomarenko, a journalist with the Kyiv Independent who has been embedded with Ukrainian forces, has reported on the fighting with a mix of pain and awe. “Zelensky seems really earnest and kind of vulnerable but simultaneously …

TikTok Must Not Fail Ukrainians
2 years, 9 months ago

TikTok Must Not Fail Ukrainians

Wired  

Vietnam was known as the first televised war. TikTok should take steps now to better support creators sharing evidence and experience, viewers, and the people and institutions who use these videos for reliable information and human rights accountability. Like other platforms, TikTok also doesn’t make an easy reverse image search or video search available in-platform to its users or offer …

How Russia Uses Disinformation As A Weapon Of War
2 years, 9 months ago

How Russia Uses Disinformation As A Weapon Of War

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin made it illegal for media to spread what his regime considers to be false information about Russia’s war in Ukraine ― or what the rest of the world considers the truth. Contributor via Getty Images It’s part of a wider conspiracy theory, spread by Russian and Chinese media ― along …

Russia-Ukraine war: Key things to know about the conflict
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia-Ukraine war: Key things to know about the conflict

Associated Press  

Russian forces largely bogged down outside major cities in Ukraine have turned to shelling them from a distance, including dozens of confirmed attacks on health facilities during the war that on Thursday entered its fourth week. I don’t know what to give him to eat.” During a video address to German lawmakers, Zelenskyy condemned Russia for the dire situation in …

Has Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine lost momentum? | In Focus podcast
2 years, 9 months ago

Has Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine lost momentum? | In Focus podcast

The Hindu  

We are now into the fourth week of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and there is still not much clarity or consensus on whether and to what extent, Russia has been able to execute its military objectives in this time period. While there is no doubt that Ukraine has decisively won the propaganda war, with the world’s sympathy overwhelmingly in its …

What is being done to thwart Russian disinformation on Ukraine?
2 years, 9 months ago

What is being done to thwart Russian disinformation on Ukraine?

Al Jazeera  

On Wednesday, March 16 at 19:30GMT: Russia has been churning out disinformation and propaganda related to its war in Ukraine since before the invasion began. Putin’s government has also clamped down on free speech by threatening to imprison anyone spreading “false information” about the war. On Monday, an anti-war protester interrupted a live news broadcast on Russia’s state-run network, Channel …

How is the media viewing Russia’s war in Ukraine?
2 years, 9 months ago

How is the media viewing Russia’s war in Ukraine?

Al Jazeera  

Competing narratives fight for coverage in print, on air and online. Images of destruction and civilian suffering in Ukraine have dominated headlines worldwide since Russia invaded on February 24, as both sides have accused the other of promoting disinformation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has become a highly visible presence throughout the Western world, largely due to informal social media videos …

Anti-war activist interrupts live Russian state TV news show
2 years, 9 months ago

Anti-war activist interrupts live Russian state TV news show

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — A live evening news program on Russia’s state television channel was interrupted Monday by a person who walked into the studio holding a poster protesting the war in Ukraine. Russia’s state TV regularly amplifies the government line that says troops entered Ukraine to save people from “neo-Nazis” and to defend Russians from a country that was preparing …

Beyond cute cat videos: How Russia is using TikTok to tell its story of the invasion
2 years, 9 months ago

Beyond cute cat videos: How Russia is using TikTok to tell its story of the invasion

Firstpost  

As Russian troops invade cities, armies of trolls are employed online to stir up anti-Ukraine sentiment. Russia’s social media strategy Analysts at several different research organisations contacted by The Associated Press said they are seeing a sharp increase in online activity by groups affiliated with the Russian state. “It’s the language of conquest” Researchers at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic …

Netflix, TikTok block services in Russia to avoid crackdown
2 years, 10 months ago

Netflix, TikTok block services in Russia to avoid crackdown

Firstpost  

Providers of internet-based services and apps have been mostly reluctant to take actions that could deprive Russian citizens of social media services and other sources of information. Netflix didn’t specify a reason for suspending services Sunday except to say it reflected “circumstances on the ground.” The company had previously said it would refuse to air Russian state TV channels. “In …

Netflix, TikTok block services in Russia to avoid crackdown
2 years, 10 months ago

Netflix, TikTok block services in Russia to avoid crackdown

Associated Press  

Netflix and TikTok suspended most of their services in Russia on Sunday as the government cracks down on what people and media outlets can say about Russia’s war in Ukraine. Netflix didn’t specify a reason for suspending services Sunday except to say it reflected “circumstances on the ground.” The company had previously said it would refuse to air Russian state …

Russian propaganda ‘outgunned’ by social media rebuttals
2 years, 10 months ago

Russian propaganda ‘outgunned’ by social media rebuttals

Associated Press  

Russian state media is spreading misinformation about the location of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in what analysts said is an attempt to discourage resistance fighters and erode support for Ukraine around the globe. A story published by the Russian News Agency Tass this week quoted a Russian lawmaker saying Zelenskyy “hastily fled” Kyiv for Lviv in far western Ukraine, despite …

FOCUS-TikTok war: How Russia's invasion of Ukraine played to social media's youngest audience
2 years, 10 months ago

FOCUS-TikTok war: How Russia's invasion of Ukraine played to social media's youngest audience

The Hindu  

When Russia invaded Ukraine last week, some of social media's youngest users experienced the conflict from the front lines on TikTok. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which it has called a "special operation," is the latest example of the central role TikTok has played in bringing news and current events to the app's large Gen Z audience. The app has become …

Russia-Ukraine war news updates: Twitter to label tweets linked to Russian state media
2 years, 10 months ago

Russia-Ukraine war news updates: Twitter to label tweets linked to Russian state media

India Today  

Twitter will put warnings on tweets sharing links to Russian state-affiliated media, the platform said Monday, as Kremlin-tied outlets are accused of spreading misinformation about Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Twitter will put warnings on tweets sharing links to Russian state-affiliated media, the platform said Monday, as Kremlin-tied outlets are accused of spreading misinformation on Moscow's invasion of Ukraine https://t.co/6LduqubqRW — …

Why journalists covering Ukraine and Russia lean into the many unknowns of war reporting
2 years, 10 months ago

Why journalists covering Ukraine and Russia lean into the many unknowns of war reporting

CNN  

New York CNN Business — A version of this article first appeared in the “Reliable Sources” newsletter. “Gas, power, comms, transport, housing, safety constant issues.” CNN’s Clarissa Ward in Kyiv brought up the curfew challenge and “very real limitations on where and how we can move around” when I spoke with her on Sunday’s “Reliable Sources.” She described how CNN …

War in Ukraine: How Russia Is Using TikTok to Spread Anti-Ukrainian Sentiment
2 years, 10 months ago

War in Ukraine: How Russia Is Using TikTok to Spread Anti-Ukrainian Sentiment

News 18  

The Russian TikTok video has it all: a cat, puppies and a pulsing background beat. Now they are putting them in play Analysts at several different research organizations contacted by The Associated Press said they are seeing a sharp increase in online activity by groups affiliated with the Russian state. The work has been underway for some time Researchers at …

War via TikTok: Russia's new tool for propaganda machine
2 years, 10 months ago

War via TikTok: Russia's new tool for propaganda machine

India Today  

The Russian TikTok video has it all: a cat, puppies and a pulsing background beat. READ | Russian troops nearing Kyiv, satellite images show long queues of Ukrainians at Romanian border Researchers at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab analyzed 3,000 articles by 10 state-owned Russian news outlets and noticed a big increase in unfounded claims that Ukraine was …

Anonymous launches attacks against Russia and pledges support for Ukraine against ‘Kremlin’s brutal invasion’
2 years, 10 months ago

Anonymous launches attacks against Russia and pledges support for Ukraine against ‘Kremlin’s brutal invasion’

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hacking group Anonymous has said that it will support Ukraine in its fight …

Propaganda, fake videos of Ukraine invasion bombard users
2 years, 10 months ago

Propaganda, fake videos of Ukraine invasion bombard users

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The messages, videos and photos flying across Twitter, Facebook and Telegram far outnumber the airstrikes raining down on Ukraine. Across Telegram and Twitter, Russia’s attack on Ukraine was both “unprovoked” and “necessary,” depending on the sender of the message. “The prayers of the world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified …

Propaganda, fake videos of Ukraine invasion bombard users
2 years, 10 months ago

Propaganda, fake videos of Ukraine invasion bombard users

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The messages, videos and photos flying across Twitter, Facebook and Telegram far outnumber the airstrikes raining down on Ukraine. Across Telegram and Twitter, Russia’s attack on Ukraine was both “unprovoked” and “necessary,” depending on the sender of the message. “The prayers of the world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified …

Debunking the videos Russia used as a pretext to send troops to eastern Ukraine
2 years, 10 months ago

Debunking the videos Russia used as a pretext to send troops to eastern Ukraine

CNN  

CNN — In the course of a day, when Russia carefully choreographed its justification for sending troops into eastern Ukraine, two strange videos popped up on social media. Russia’s Federal Security Service said that two infantry vehicles were discovered “violating the Ukraine-Russian border in the Rostov region.” Separately, Russia’s southern military district said, according to state news agency RIA-Novosti, that …

Videos of Russian military on the move spread on TikTok
2 years, 10 months ago

Videos of Russian military on the move spread on TikTok

Al Jazeera  

As tensions ratchet up on Ukraine border, footage posted online has become a valuable new tool for researchers analysing Russian military movements. He says TikTok videos showing the Russian military on the move are increasingly taking up a significant amount of researchers’ time – especially now, as tensions ratchet up on Russia’s border with Ukraine – helping them to report …

Russian disinformation kicks into high gear as Ukraine crisis drags on
2 years, 10 months ago

Russian disinformation kicks into high gear as Ukraine crisis drags on

LA Times  

According to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, there were multiple shelling incidents across the frontline in the Donbas region of Ukraine on Thursday. One “tried and tested cudgel” by Russia-aligned disinformation groups, Ondrak said, is the portrayal of Ukraine as a country full of neo-Nazis — a trope employed last month and again this week. On Wednesday, …

Russia is preparing a pretext for invading Ukraine: US official
2 years, 11 months ago

Russia is preparing a pretext for invading Ukraine: US official

Al Jazeera  

The Kremlin says reports that Russia is preparing a provocation are ‘unfounded’, as tensions reach new heights. Russian special services are preparing “provocations” against Russian servicemen located in Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria in order to accuse Kyiv, Ukrainian military intelligence said on Friday. “Russian influence actors are already starting to fabricate Ukrainian provocations in state and social media to …

Discover Related