Propagandists continue to employ conspiracy theories to justify Russia's aggression against Ukraine and explain global events. One such theory, centered on Big Pharma, has long been used to accuse pharmaceutical companies of conspiring to manipulate healthcare systems for profit. In the context of school shootings in the United States, propagandists and conspiracy theorists have found new applications for this narrative, claiming that the perpetrators were allegedly under the influence of psychiatric medications, which led to their violent actions.

These claims divert attention from issues such as access to firearms and systemic mental health support, instead fueling anti-vaccine and anti-government sentiments. Such narratives are often amplified by media outlets promoting right-wing and conservative viewpoints, like Breitbart. The theory fosters distrust in science and medicine, inciting panic and rejection of medical treatment. This creates barriers to public dialogue about comprehensive solutions to violence and mental health challenges.

Russian propaganda leverages the Big Pharma conspiracy theory to undermine trust in Western medical systems and governments. Regarding school shootings in the U.S., Russian narratives portray pharmaceutical companies as villains, alleging they intentionally prescribe psychotropic drugs to young people, resulting in aggressive behavior. This aligns with a broader disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting the West.

The theory is also used to support Russia's aggression against Ukraine, advancing several key narratives. Propagandists claim that Western pharmaceutical companies, as part of a global corrupt enterprise, have a vested interest in the war to boost profits. In this context, the West is depicted as indifferent to Ukrainian lives. Russia further disseminates messages that Western aid is being used for experiments on Ukrainian citizens, including soldiers. Claims about biolabs and supposed vaccine and drug experiments in Ukraine are part of this theory, aiming to erode trust in the Ukrainian government and healthcare system.

Propagandists also push the idea that Ukraine, with Western assistance, is spreading diseases that threaten both the Russian population and the world at large. All of this is part of a larger disinformation campaign designed to justify Russian aggression and demoralize Ukrainians and their allies.

A Russian disinformation campaign is actively spreading the narrative that the Ukrainian government might negotiate peace with Russia, bypassing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. Such claims, including remarks by Russian State Duma deputy Svitlana Zhurova, aim to paint a picture of chaos within Ukraine's leadership and undermine trust in its leaders. This was reported by the Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security.

Russia has also attempted to propose alternative negotiators, such as Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, though these efforts have failed. Putin has gone further, labeling Ukraine’s entire executive branch as illegitimate. The Kremlin seeks to create the illusion that it is willing to negotiate with any entity—parliament, the government, the military, or loyal political figures—while these claims completely ignore the reality. The Ukrainian government operates cohesively, defending the state’s interests, with the international community recognizing and supporting it as the legitimate authority.

The essence of this disinformation is to weaken Ukraine, discredit its leadership, and erode trust in Zelenskyi. However, the strong unity of Ukrainian society and robust international support render the Kremlin’s manipulations ineffective.

The acting governor of Russia's Kursk region, Khinshtein, claimed that 17 cultural heritage sites were damaged in Rylsk on December 22 due to missile strikes, accusing the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). “The Nazi regime is trying to destroy not only peaceful residents but also our historical and cultural heritage…”, he stated.

This was reported by the Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security. Its experts found that the scale of the damage Khinshtein described appears minimal, with the circumstances surrounding the alleged incidents remaining unconfirmed. In contrast, Russia is actively destroying Ukraine's cultural heritage. As of December 2024, 1,222 damaged landmarks have been recorded across 18 regions of Ukraine. In November alone, Russia carried out 43 new strikes on such sites, including in the Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Khmelnytskyi regions. The Kharkiv region suffered damage to 322 such objects, while the Kyiv region and the city of Kyiv recorded 81. The most high-profile incident occurred on December 20, with the shelling of the St. Nicholas Catholic Cathedral in Kyiv. Ukraine is demanding an international investigation into these acts of cultural vandalism, which constitute violations of international law.

Russia spreads such disinformation for several reasons. First, it seeks to divert attention from the destruction it inflicts on Ukrainian cultural heritage by accusing Ukraine instead. This helps create an illusion of moral equivalence between the aggressor and the victim. Baseless accusations of damage to cultural objects aim to undermine the reputation of the Ukrainian military internationally and domestically. Russian propaganda appeals to emotions by exploiting themes of cultural heritage to mobilize support among its population. This disinformation also serves to justify Russia’s aggressive actions as “defending” its historical legacy. Moreover, such narratives are intended to sow doubt within the international community about the credibility of Ukraine's accusations of war crimes against Russia.

Following Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential elections, the social media platform Bluesky, created by Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter, began gaining traction. By December 2024, its user base had grown to 25 million. The platform has become a haven for many former Twitter (now X) users dissatisfied with the changes Elon Musk implemented on the platform. Bluesky has also attracted numerous prominent American celebrities, including Barbra Streisand, Jamie Lee Curtis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Guillermo del Toro, Rihanna, and others. At the same time, Russian propagandists, notably the disinformation network Matryoshka, have been actively infiltrating the new platform.

This was reported by the Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security, whose experts have observed propagandists publishing fake videos and manipulative materials aimed at discrediting Ukraine. For instance, one video features a fabricated statement by a woman allegedly working at the Climate Care Center of Imperial College London. In the video, created using deepfake technology, she supposedly criticizes the use of long-range missiles against Russia. Eliot Higgins from Bellingcat pointed out that such videos are often based on real materials but are heavily distorted. Other examples include fake statements by graduates of British universities, falsely justifying Russian actions and criticizing Ukraine.

Bluesky, which positions itself as a safe space for users, now faces significant challenges in combating Russian information attacks. If the platform fails to develop effective countermeasures, it risks becoming a hub for the dissemination of propaganda.

Russia uses disinformation and propaganda, particularly through fake content on social media, for several reasons. Chief among them is the desire to undermine international support for Ukraine by portraying it as an unstable, corrupt, or aggressive state. Disinformation also aims to sow doubt among Ukraine’s allies, particularly in Western countries, thereby weakening their resolve to support Ukraine. The use of fake videos enables Russia to promote its own version of events, amplifying its influence in the global information space. By experimenting with new platforms like Bluesky, Russia seeks alternative propaganda channels after losing part of its audience on X (Twitter). These efforts are part of Russia’s broader strategy to weaken Ukraine’s position and bolster its own influence.