Spilnota Detector Media
Detector Media collects and documents real-time chronicles of the Kremlin disinformation about the Russian invasion. Ukraine for decades has been suffering from Kremlin disinformation. Here we document all narratives, messages, and tactics, which Russia is using from February 17th, 2022. Reminder: the increasing of shelling and fighting by militants happened on the 17th of February 2022 on the territory of Ukraine. Russian propaganda blames Ukraine for these actions.

On 23 November, on the 1003th day of the full-scale war, our editorial office recorded:

2545
Fake
758
Manipulation
739
Message
535
Disclosure
Русскій фейк, іді на***!

Manipulation In Ukraine, the remains of “Artemsil” are sold for 2,500 hryvnia per kilogram

This thesis was circulated on social networks, in particular on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that in Ukraine they are selling the remains of “Artemsil” for 2,500 hryvnia per kilogram. They say that the money is being sent “to somewhere”, probably this is how they profit from the Ukrainians. This is manipulation.

In fact, we are talking about the initiative of the State Enterprise “ARTEMSIL” and the fundraising platform “UNITED24”, which released a special batch of the famous salt on the anniversary of a full-scale war. The initiative was also supported by employees of the ROZETKA marketplace and the Ukrainian supermarket chain “Silpo”, where this salt can be purchased. The rest, namely 200 tons of salt, were packaged in packs of 200 grams. The cost of one pack is 500 hryvnia, 465 of which will go to charity. This is a limited edition of salt, it is not widely available. The initiators also do not position this particular salt as a consumer product, however, the propagandists changed the concept and began to claim that it is, on the contrary, a consumer product, and they “make money” from the Ukrainians.

In theory, one can buy a kilogram of limited edition salt, but it is not sold by weight. That is, it is more of a souvenir than a food product.

Manipulation The West is “threatening and blackmailing” forcing to join the sanctions against Russia, the President of Serbia claimed

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, in telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić allegedly claimed that Western countries were threatening him and trying to “sway him to the right side”, reports say. The authors of the reports refer to an interview by Aleksandar Vučić with the Serbian television company RTS. This is manipulation.

Analysts of The Insider project investigated this case and found that the authors of the messages distorted the context of the interview. In the original version, Aleksandar Vučić said that both Russia and representatives of Western countries are trying to drag the Serbian president “to their side”. The West, for example, calls for supporting sanctions against Russia, because the security of Ukraine means the security of Europe. At the same time, Russia probably wants Aleksandar Vučić not to support sanctions. He added that now there is no pressure on Serbia to impose sanctions against Russia.

By spreading this manipulation, the propagandists want to discredit Western leaders who allegedly resort to blackmail and open threats. At the same time, they nourish the narrative about the existence of the so-called “Collective West”, which has united against Russia in order to destroy it.

Fake The Romanian authorities offered the parishes of the UOC MP to go under the protectorate of the Romanian Orthodox Church

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, in telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Romanian authorities have reportedly offered parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate to come under the protectorate of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The authors refer to the “Appeal to the Romanian Priests in Ukraine”, which states this. It is not true.

Analysts of the VoxCheck project drew attention to this case and determined that the Romanian authorities did not announce their intention to establish a protectorate over the parishes of the UOC MP in Ukraine. Analysts explain that the authors of the publication refer to an appeal from priests who are under the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. At the same time, indeed, several Romanian non-governmental organizations signed the appeal, but this cannot reflect the official position of the Romanian authorities. Experts note that Romania supports the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

By spreading this fake, propagandists want to convince that the so-called “true Orthodoxy” led by the UOC MP is ready to defend the whole world. Russian propaganda positions the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate as the only correct and canonical one. And the Orthodox Church of Ukraine is false and illegal, all the believers who visit it are false Orthodox.

We recall that earlier Detector Media also explained the message, which claimed that Ukraine denigrates Orthodoxy by separating from the Moscow Patriarchate.

Fake Zelenskyi was invited to speak at a drug rehabilitation center “as a good example to follow”

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, in telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say Volodymyr Zelenskyi was invited to speak at the Belgian drug rehabilitation center Trempoline. The authors of the publication add screenshots from the Belgian news site that allegedly published this appeal. At the same time, the appeal says that “workers of the rehabilitation center admire Zelenskyi’s resilience, and people in treatment want to be like him”. The authors of the messages say that Zelenskyi can become an example of a “successfully rehabilitated” one. It is not true.

Analysts of the VoxCheck project investigated this case and found that the Trempoline rehabilitation center did not create such advertising, and the ads with an appeal to Volodymyr Zelenskyi were edited. A photo search on Google Images showed that only Russian news sources distributed the ads. There is also no information on the Trempoline website and social networks about the appeal to the Ukrainian president.

Propagandists systematically spread fake stories about Ukrainian officials, in particular Zelenskyi, in order to discredit him. Thus, propaganda uses the tactics of ridicule and tries to create the illusion that the leadership of Ukraine is despised in Europe. Hinting that Zelenskyi is “successfully rehabilitated”, and people who are on drug addiction treatment “want to be like him”, the authors of the messages once again call the President of Ukraine a drug addict. Previously, propagandists spread messages about fake graffiti with Zelenskyi in public places, fake magazine covers, etc.

Tactics and tools How Russian propaganda uses labeling tactics (stereotyping)

Labeling (stereotyping) is one of the most common propaganda tactics. Propagandists provide the phenomenon/process they are working against with negative content using a deliberate name or characteristic that evokes negative associations. Less often, this tactic is used in a positive connotation such as calling a certain group of people heroes.

For example, Russian propaganda calls Ukrainian servicemen “militants”, “Nazis”, “neo-Nazis”. All these terms have a negative connotation and evoke associations of fear of the military. Thus, the propagandists are trying to level the image of the Ukrainian soldier as a defender of the Ukrainian people and Ukraine. At the same time, by combining labeling and substitution of concepts, Russian propaganda creates the image of a “defender of the fatherland” for Russian servicemen, despite the fact that they are fighting on foreign territory.

Another example is the use of the perverse label “independent” in relation to Ukraine. Propagandists deliberately do not translate the word “independent” into Russian, but create something in between. Thus, due to the caricature of the designation, propaganda forms a negative attitude towards Ukraine as a separate and independent state. Propagandists also use this label to nourish the narrative of “external governance in Ukraine”.

As for the use of stereotypes, this tactic is best demonstrated by the “inferior” attitude of Russians towards Ukrainians as “unreasonable, helpless younger brothers and sisters”. Despite the fact that Ukraine is historically the successor of Kyiv Rus, Kyiv is an older city than Moscow. After the collapse of the USSR, Russian rhetoric highlighted the “brotherhood of peoples”, “common culture”, “common values”. These stereotypes were also used in 2014. Like, “brother goes against brother” and “that's bad”. According to Russian propaganda, Ukraine, guided by “family feelings”, should not resist Russia.

Message Europe launches campaign to fight proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in Ukraine

This thesis was circulated on social networks, in particular on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that in Europe, in particular in Spain, they are afraid of “possible nuclear threats from Ukraine”. That is why, according to the authors, the leadership of Spain is introducing a campaign to fight the spread of weapons of mass destruction in order to protect itself from “provocations of Ukraine”.

Analysts of the EU vs Disinfo project drew attention to this case and found that this is another conspiracy theory of Russian propaganda that has no evidence. Probably, as analysts explain, the basis of this conspiracy thesis was the Spanish national security meeting held in February. The meeting adopted a draft national strategy to fight the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Both the meeting and the draft document had nothing to do with Ukraine, since only national security measures were discussed. Moreover, there were no statements from Spanish officials regarding the so-called “protection from Ukraine”.

By spreading this message, propagandists want to convince that Ukraine is an aggressor and that it carries out so-called provocations and terrorizes Europeans. Thus, the authors of messages use the tactics of reflection, attributing their actions to opponents. Because intimidation and “nuclear blackmail” is one of the ways Russian propaganda achieves its goals.

We recall that earlier Detector Media also denied a fake, which claimed that radioactive substances were allegedly brought to Ukraine to prepare provocations against Russia.

Message The United States plans to hold peace talks with Russia, since it is America that is waging war side by side with Ukraine against Russia

This thesis was circulated on social networks, in particular on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. The reports say that the US plans to hold talks with Russia in order to “somehow agree to achieve peace”. The authors note that the United States is allegedly at war with Ukraine against Russia, and then America will independently make decisions on negotiations with Russia.

Analysts of the EU vs Disinfo project drew attention to this case and determined that this thesis is unfounded and has no evidence. The West supports Ukraine with military and financial assistance and does not take a direct part in the war. In addition, Western partners act on the principle of not discussing issues related to Ukraine without Ukraine. That is, Ukraine is also a participant in all international processes, no one can make decisions on behalf of Ukraine without the knowledge of the Ukrainian leadership.

According to analysts, there are no significant differences between the United States and Europe in the position on Russia's war against Ukraine. In the conclusions of the Council of the European Union of February 9, 2023, it was unequivocally noted that the EU will support Ukraine for as long as necessary. Western countries, including the United States, are determined to help Ukraine in its victory.

By spreading such a message, propagandists want to convince that Ukraine is supposedly a puppet in the hands of the West, which acts in its own interests and does not take Ukrainians into account. At the same time, Russian propaganda promotes the thesis of a truce as the only way to end the war, so that Russia in the international arena will be considered and tried to “somehow negotiate”.

Fake In Ukraine, they forbid foreign citizens to become blood donors

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, in telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. The reports say that from March 1, 2023, only “full-blooded Ukrainians” will be able to become blood donors, and all foreign citizens are prohibited to do so. The authors of the messages in the publication add a probable announcement that talks about this ban. Allegedly, such an “announcement”, according to the authors, was distributed by the Ukrainian service for finding doctors “DOC.UA”, because it depicts the logo of the service. It is not true.

Analysts of the NotaYenota project drew attention to this case and determined that the ad was not real. Ihor Liski, Head of the supervisory board of the group of companies “Effective investments”, which includes “DOC.UA”, denied the creation of this “announcement”. As he explains, the service does not collect blood and workers could not receive proposals, for example, from the Ministry of Health on the so-called changes in the blood collection system, because this is beyond their competence. In addition, Ihor Liski confirmed that no such announcement was made on behalf of the “DOC.UA” service.

At the same time, analysts emphasize that both Ukrainians and foreigners who have a permanent residence permit in Ukraine can donate blood in Ukraine. Any capable citizen of Ukraine over the age of 18 who weighs at least 50 kg and has passed the appropriate medical examination in a medical institution before blood sampling and has no contraindications can be a blood or plasma donor.

By spreading such a fake, the propagandists nourish the narrative of Nazi Ukrainians who supposedly recognize only so-called “full-blooded Ukrainians” and despise everyone else.

Orest Slyvenko, Artur Koldomasov, Vitalii Mykhailiv, Oleksandra Kotenko, Oleksandr Siedin, Kostiantyn Zadyraka, and Oleksiy Pivtorak are collaborating on this chronicle. Lesia Bidochko serves as the project coordinator, while Ksenia Ilyuk is the author of the project.