Russia Ukraine War

ISD is covering the Russia-Ukraine War across all of our areas of expertise. This page will be regularly updated with our latest analysis. A list of reports and resources ISD has previously produced on disinformation, information operations and state-linked online assets are also listed on this page.

This Dispatch analysis the findings of two ISD surveys which explored Germans views on the war against Ukraine, (European) defence, and threat perceptions of Russia.

The Russian Propaganda Nesting Doll: How RT is Layered Into the Digital Information Environment

Over the past year, ASD at GMF, UvA and ISD developed the Information Laundromat, revealing that 400 domains republished RT.com articles in 2023, spreading Russian state media in the EU and US despite bans.

The NYT

The New York Times covers findings from ISD, ASD and UvA on laundered Russian propaganda making its way to Western audiences despite bans.

Deutsche Welle

ISD Senior Analyst Julia Smirnova speaks to DW's Fact Check team about the multiple fake claims targeting President Zelenskyy in an attempt to weaken Western support for Ukraine.

Two Years On: An Analysis of Russian State and Pro-Kremlin Information Warfare in the Context of the Invasion of Ukraine

This report outlines the evolution of Russian state & pro-Kremlin propaganda undermining international support for Ukraine since the 2022 invasion, outlining Western vulnerabilities for the next year.

NYT

The New York Times features ISD research on a coordinated campaign likely using content generated by ChatGPT to undermine support for Russian opposition leader, Alexey Navalny.

ISD unveils a coordinated campaign by at least 64 accounts likely using content generated by ChatGPT to undermine support for Navalny, his associate and their organisation, the Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF).

Changing Attitudes Towards Ukraine: A Cross-Language Examination on Facebook and X

This analysis measures attitudes towards Ukraine among the top shared posts on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter, to understand potential changes over time as well as differences across geographies. The findings evidence an increasing penetration of anti-Ukraine rhetoric among highly engaged posts on Facebook and X.

The Moscow Times

Tucker Carlson doesn't work for or with Russian state media. Yet his clips are constantly pushed in Russia. ISD's Elise Thomas writes an op-ed for the Moscow Times on the dynamics between the two and why Carlson is "much better" at promoting divisive, polarising views.

Narrative über den Krieg Russlands gegen die Ukraine (NUK)

This report presents the key findings from a project targeting disinformation narratives against Ukrainian refugees within Russian- and Arabic-speaking communities in Germany, outlining the process of creation of four counter videos and an evaluation of the videos' dissemination.

Russian state media's latest attempt, "Resistor Newswire," hasn't gained much traction despite 18+ months of operation. It’s just the latest attempt to be uncovered by ISD.

ISD has released the third and final round of our video campaign in German, Arabic and Russian, aimed to counter pro-Kremlin mis- and disinformation targeting Ukrainian refugees in Germany.

NYT

ISD’s Jacob Davey was interviewed by The New York Times about how pro-Kremlin actors are using video game platforms to reach vulnerable young audiences.

The Atlantic

ISD Senior Research Manager, Jared Holt, spoke to the Atlantic about how Telegram became central to follow developments on Russian ground, most recently, Yevgeny Prigozhin's revolt.

Axios

ISD Senior Research Manager Jared Holt spoke to Axios about US political extremists and their overlap with Russian social media platforms.

BBC

ISD's Moustafa Ayad teamed up with the BBC to look into Yala News, a UK-registered media company that appears to be spreading video versions of Russian-state propaganda.

Sky News

ISD's Tim Squirrell features in Sky News commenting on findings from Meta's quarterly adversarial threat report.

ABC News

ISD's Tim Squirrell features in ABC News commenting on Meta's report on the evolution of pro-Russia online campaigns since the war began.

ARD

ISD's Julia Smirnova comments on Putin's annual address to the nation to German broadcaster ARD.

This dispatch analyses a Telegram channel linked to a pro-Kremlin influence operation targeting Ukrainian refugees in Germany.

This dispatch addresses how Russian-language propaganda on Telegram spread hate and disinformation against Ukrainian refugees in Europe.

Interferenzen

ISD's Julia Smirnova discusses the relationship between the far right and the conspiracy ideology scene in Germany, and among Russian state propaganda.

VICE News

ISD's Jordan Wildon spoke to VICE about our report on Russian state-media workarounds to circumvent the EU ban.

Effectiveness of the Sanctions on Russian State-Affiliated Media in the EU – An investigation into website traffic & possible circumvention methods

This report assesses the EU restrictions on Russian state-affiliated media since the invasion of Ukraine, while exposing the circumvention being used to reach EU audiences.

An ISD investigation reveals the pro-Kremlin influence operation behind a fake video claiming Western weapons meant for Ukraine are ending up on the black market.

La Republicca

ISD's investigation into 500 pro-Kremlin Twitter accounts ahead of the Italian elections was shared in major Italian newspapers like La Republicca, La Stampa, Il Secolo XIX and various sites under the GEDI publishing group.

POLITICO

POLITICO's investigation into the online pro-Ukraine collective NAFO features ISD research.

Concept Illustration With German Flag in the Background And old power line Silhouette in the foreground symbol for the upcoming energy crisis.

ISD's Julia Smirnova features in DW speaking on the concerns around Russian influence operations exploiting fears and sowing social unrest in Germany.

Female model standing against cement wall

Newsweek

Newsweek has featured findings from Moustafa Ayad's research published in Propaganda Primping: The ‘Kremlinistas’ of Twitter.

Today's Dispatch looks at pro-Kremlin rhetoric attempting to discredit Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia as ‘neo-Nazi’ states.

ISD's Moustafa Ayad's talks to DW about RT Arabic's popularity in the Middle East and how its winning the information war in the region.

Graphic of map of Finland with Finnish flag and Twitter bird with speech bubble with Russian flag

Amidst Finland's bid to join NATO, supporters of Moscow’s claim that Russia is “denazifying” Ukraine have begun to associate Finland, a longstanding neutral country, with fascism.

Cartoon of broadcast antenna with Russian colours

Irish Examiner

Ciarán O'Connor has written for the Irish Examiner, sharing his observations from the past six months investigating the war in Ukraine.

Graphic of person suing computer with news icons

New ISD research shows Facebook and Twitter are presenting users searching for news about Ukraine with pro-Kremlin material and information from unverified sources.

Graphic of the YouTube platform interface

Coda Story

Analysis by ISD's Elise Thomas has formed part of a weekly newsletter by Coda Story about pro-Russian disinformation.

This second Dispatch in our four-part series explores the Azov Regiment in Ukraine, debunking pro-Kremlin claims that Ukraine is ‘neo-Nazi’ and anti-NATO conspiracy narratives.

This is the first of four Dispatches unpacking the narratives and tropes of pro-Kremlin actors claiming Ukraine to be a fascist state.

The impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on French-speaking fringe communities online

ISD France identified four communities known to push mis- and disinformation relating to COVID-19 and analysed their reactions to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

ISD's Tim Squirrell participated as a speaker showcasing our research on the Russia-Ukraine War and how pro-Kremlin propaganda continue to reach global audiences.

El País

Leading Spanish-language outlet El País published an exclusive about how RT content is "tricking" the system in place.

Despite EU bans on Russia Today content, ISD has uncovered various ways in which RT content is still accessible and available online, reaching European audiences.

POLITICO

Kata Balint and Jordan Wildon speak to Politico about Russia Today's latest strategies to stay online in Europe.

Preying on primordial urges, pro-Kremlin Arabic narratives find a sweet spot in women influencers.

SWR

ISD analyst Julia Smirnova features in this documentary for SWR about the role of Russian-language propaganda amongst Russian-Germans.

A coordinated network of volunteers are working to translate existing Russian-language propaganda and disinformation about the war in Ukraine into many languages.

ARD Kontraste

ISD analyst, Julia Smirnova, spoke to Leading German investigative TV magazine ARD Kontraste about Russian 'comedians' Vovan and Lexus and their relation with the Russian state.

Today's Dispatch explores Dig Deep Documentary, a YouTube channel that appears to be a copycat of the now banned Russia Today channel.

Bloomberg

ISD’s Moustafa Ayad spoke to Bloomberg about the pro-Kremlin narratives being deployed in Africa in attempts to redirect blame for the global food security crisis since its invasion of Ukraine.

Binary code pattern in colors of flag of Ukraine

This Dispatch examines Project Nemesis, a mass doxxing campaign targeting members of the Ukrainian military, secret services, volunteers and international trainers.

ISD's Sasha Morinière joined the Conspiracy Watch for a discussion about the spread of conspiracy theories during the French legislative elections.

Radio Télé Suisse

Speaking to Radio Télévision Suisse during their French-language morning show, La Matinale, she offers analysis on "Twitter diplomacy" and observations ISD France has had since the beginning of the war.

BBC News

ISD's Julia Smirnova features in this article for the BBC, explaining that Southern Front is "likely the latest Russian strategy to establish control over the occupied territories of Ukraine".

Photo of Russian soldiers marching at Victory Day

In this Dispatch, ISD analysts explore Kremlin propaganda narratives about Victory Day on Facebook in 11 different languages and countries.

This Dispatch examines the key narratives and mechanisms used by pro-Kremlin influencers and actors attempting to link the Buffalo shooter to the Azov Battalion.

VICE News

ISD's Tim Squirrell spoke with VICE News on how pro-Kremlin circles are misconstruing the shooter's profile to undermine support for Ukraine.

Graphic of Kremlin Disinformation Playbook

The Kremlin disinformation playbook of denials, diversion and deflections has been used as atrocities emerge after Russia's month-long occupation of Bucha.

POLITICO

Moustafa Ayad spoke with Politico about our findings on the origins behind the viral #IStandWithRussia hashtag that came about after the invasion.

The Murky Origin Story of #IstandwithRussia

This briefing note is intended to understand the origins of the #IstandwithRussia campaign, the accounts behind it, and the parallels and linkages it has to pro-Kremlin media and narratives on social media platforms.

This Dispatch explores how the antisemitic “Khazarian Mafia” conspiracy theory is being directed at the war in Ukraine.

Al Jazeera English

Tim Squirrell spoke to Al Jazeera English about Cyber Front Z, a Russian troll farm accused of spreading pro-Kremlin misinformation on social media.

Slate

ISD’s Iris Boyer spoke with Slate France on the non-neutrality of search engines in the aftermath of the Bucha massacre.

New ISD analysis of Facebook posts across 20 countries reveals that three weeks after the Bucha massacre, the most shared Facebook posts on the events are the ones questioning the legitimacy of it.

Le Figaro

ISD analysts Zoé Fourel and Sasha Morinière spoke with French Le Figaro about their findings around the support for RT France and Sputnik among French-speakers since the ban.

L’interdiction de RT et Sputnik : impacts et implications pour l’écosystème en ligne français

Cette publication a pour vocation d’analyser les conséquences de l’exclusion de RT et Sputnik France du paysage informationnel français ainsi que le type de discours que cette mesure a contribué à alimenter dans les communautés ou circulent de nombreux narratifs extrémistes et/ou de désinformation.

BBC

Researchers at ISD joined a BBC investigation on a network of Putin “superfans” on Facebook committed to depicting the Russian president as “smiling, benevolent and peace-loving”.

ISD's Ciarán O'Connor joined experts to discuss the role of the international media amidst Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Vladimirror Network: Pro-Putin Power-Users on Facebook

This briefing outlines the mechanics, narratives, and linkages of the pro-Putin power users — those that produce content at a high-rate day in and day out since the start of the invasion — on Facebook to pro-Kremlin groups and pages, painting a picture of a coordinated, seemingly inauthentic campaign intended to buttress the image of Putin in a range of languages and geographies.

This Dispatch looks at the impact of the RT and Sputnik bans on French social media, including the response of online fringe communities and proxies.

This Dispatch looks at the recent developments in digital policy, offering recommendations for platforms and governments responding to propaganda and disinformation.

VICE News

ISD analyst Julia Smirnova features in this article by VICE News where she explains how a Telegram channel is urging Russians to help boost pro-Kremlin content online by faking a "grassroots" movement.

Russia-Ukraine War Sparks Influx of Disinformation in German-language Conspiracy Groups

ISD looks at how far-right channels, groups and pages on Telegram and Facebook have addressed the Russia-Ukraine War by looking at the narratives shared and domains amplified.

ISD has discovered Twitter accounts aligned with the Chinese Communist Party that appear to be inauthentic, spreading and amplifying disinformation about the war in Ukraine.

UnHerd

Tim Squirrell, ISD's Head of Communications, spoke with UnHerd about the far-right's splitting view of the Russia-Ukraine War, the "Balkanistation" of the ecosystem and the appeal of conspiracies in moments of human crises.

EU flag as brick wall with shadows of people

The Arab Weekly

The war in Ukraine has caused over three million people to flee their homes, Jasmine El-Gamal has authored an op-ed for the Arab Weekly about the future of refugee interventions.

Oireachtas TV

ISD’s Ciarán O’Conner appeared on Oireachtas Debates, a show on Oireachtas TV, an Irish public service broadcaster, as part of a panel interview discussing the war in Ukraine and spread of disinformation around the invasion, and misleading information from pro-Ukrainian parties.

This Dispatch looks at how Hungarian state-linked media is echoing and amplifying pro-Kremlin narratives, despite the country siding with Western allies’ efforts against Russia.

graphic of magnet attracting users to mobile phone

Business Insider

ISD's Ciarán O'Connor has shared insights and concerns over the role of Tiktok in spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda in an op-ed for Business Insider.

Xi Jinping in front of Russian and Chinese flags with the letter Q and question marks placed on the top left

This Dispatch looks at the shift that appears to be underway in QAnon conspiracy communities as China's president Xi Jinping is recast from villain to hero.

Jiore being interviewed by an NBC journalist

NBC Nightly News

ISD's Jiore Craig was interviewed on Russian disinformation by NBC Nightly News, where she discussed the role of powerful actors in curbing the spread of disinformation.

Washington Post

Analysis by Julia Smirnova was featured by the Washington Post, it looks at a viral Tiktok video spreading misinformation about violence directed at Russians in Germany.

NYT

ISD researcher Elise Thomas features in an article for the New York Times, where she reminds us that Russia has always executed information attacks, but it's never been as easy as it is now in the age of the Internet and smart phones.

BBC Radio 4

ISD's CEO, Sasha Havlicek, appeared on Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs programme, Today, to discuss the last two decades of Western response to Vladimir Putin.

How Russian State-Controlled Media and its Supporters are Circumventing Social Media Restrictions

This Dispatch looks at how both RT DE and its followers have circumvented restrictions, while RT DE’s following has grown on alternative platforms like Odysee and VK.com.

Mother Jones

ISD researcher Elise Thomas shares some insight with investigative magazine Mother Jones about her research surrounding the ongoing information battle between Russia and Ukraine.

This Dispatch analyses how hashtags are being used to facilitate the Soviet propaganda tactic 'whataboutism' to support and amplify pro-Kremlin content.

Al Jazeera

Tim Squirrell, ISD's Head of Communications and Editorial, appeared on Al Jazeera's Inside Story to discuss changes to Meta's content moderation policy temporarily allowing users in some countries to incite violence against Russian soldiers.

In this Dispatch, Elise Thomas explains why Western conspiracy communities on Telegram are promoting pro-Kremlin propaganda about the Russia-Ukraine war.

Pro-Kremlin hashtags on Twitter have the hallmarks of an influence operation masquerading as a grassroots social movement, but how can they help us detect future operations?

Sky News

Sasha Havlicek joined Sky News' 'The Great Debate' during primetime as a panelist, debating the question: Can the West stop Vladimir Putin?

AP News

ISD's Ciarán O'Connor comments to AP News about the significance of TikTok in Russia's information war.

Ukraine-related disinformation from Russian state-backed sources is spreading without restriction in German-Language Telegram channels and groups.

POLITICO

ISD analyst and Russia expert Julia Smirnova speaks with POLITICO on how far-right activity on Telegram has increasingly consisted in the sharing of banned-RT content.

This Dispatch explores how Russian state-controlled or state-affiliated news organisations are using TikTok to spread misinformation and push Kremlin disinformation narratives.

FAZ

ISD's Julia Smirnova, an expert on Russia, features in a podcast with renowned German newspaper FAZ about deliberate false reporting during the war in Ukraine.

German-Language Disinformation about the Russian Invasion of Ukraine on Facebook

This Digital Dispatch shares several trends that ISD analysts observed in German-language Facebook groups during the days prior to Russia’s invasion, and in the days immediately after it.

ZDF

ISD's Julia Smirnova speaks with ZDF about Russia's efforts to destabilise Ukraine with propaganda campaigns dating back to 2014 and the annexation of Crimea.

What’s New (and What’s Not) with News Front

Despite having been banned in 2020, pro-Russian propaganda outlet News Front has been able to return to Facebook for at least a third time without any significant innovation in its tactics or operation. This raises questions about how effectively Facebook enforces its own bans on known bad actors.

The Long Tail of Influence Operations: A Case Study on News Front

This case study examines two websites and two blogging accounts which appear to be linked to News Front, a Crimean-based news organisation previously accused of being a source of pro-Kremlin disinformation and influence operations. While the impact of the site’s activity is low, the case study provides a glimpse into the inner workings of the broader disinformation ecosystem and sheds light on the long tail of state-linked online assets.

Disinformation can threaten the activities, objectives and individuals associated with civil society groups and their work. This toolkit lays out an approach that organisations can undertake to begin to track online disinformation on subjects that they care about. The process is intended to have a very low barrier to entry, with each stage achievable using either over-the-counter or free-to-use social media analysis tools.