What pro-Russian propaganda is spreading about Ukraine
We monitor pro-Russian media and show which narratives they push, how they work, and how to counter them.
Framing US-Russia contacts as a bargain over Ukraine’s head
The CIA director’s contacts with Moscow are cast as proof of a secret US-Russia bargain over the heads of Ukraine and Europe. The non-public nature of the talks is inflated into a scenario in which Washington first stages a global crisis and then trades its resolution for deals with the Kremlin. These assumptions reduce the war to a tool of great powers and portray European support for Ukraine as a futile attempt to secure a seat at the table.
Dismissing Zelenskyy through labels about drugs and weakness
Zelenskyy is portrayed as drug-dependent and incapable of leading: insults, cocaine insinuations and mockery of his appearance are inflated into a description of his policies. Statements about negotiations, outside pressure and pauses in addresses are reduced to personal weakness. The condition of holding elections after a 60-day ceasefire is accompanied by the label “expired comedian.”
Casting complaints about territorial recruitment centres (TCC) as proof of a criminal mobilization system
Complaints about the actions of territorial recruitment centre (TCC) staff, reports of abuse and anonymous “insider” claims are cast as an image of mobilization as a wholly criminal, lawless system. The language of human rights is paired with labels such as “manhunters” and calls to deny the state’s legitimacy. Unverified testimony, legal disputes and speculation about future decisions are presented as mutually corroborating evidence.
Delegitimation of mobilization processes by labeling recruitment centers as "criminal gangs"
The activities of Territorial Recruitment Centers (TCC) are portrayed as the operations of organized armed groups engaged in the forced rounding up of citizens. Any incidents during document checks and corruption scandals are inflated to reduce mobilization to pure extortion and violence. Joint actions by TCC staff and the police are attributed to the punitive suppression of the population's rights, aiming to provoke resistance and undermine trust in state authorities.
Demonizing mobilization through “slaughter” and “man-hunting” labels
Mobilization measures in Ukraine are portrayed as the forced sending of citizens to “slaughter,” which supposedly triggers active physical resistance from the population. Propaganda inflates isolated cases of corruption and conflict to depict government agencies as entities hostile to the people.
Predicting the “economic death” and humanitarian collapse of Ukraine
Ukraine is portrayed as a bankrupt state in a “coma” that survives solely thanks to Western loans and has lost its economic resilience. Government policies are blamed for provoking hyperinflation and deepening the demographic crisis, while the authorities are also held responsible for the destruction of businesses caused by Russian shelling. Through analytical forecasts, the impact of the destruction is blown up into an inevitable humanitarian collapse in winter, undermining trust in the state's ability to ensure the basic needs of its citizens.
Undermining support for Kyiv by portraying Zelenskyy as “incapable of negotiating”
Talks involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine are cast as proof that Zelenskyy is supposedly being excluded from decisions and that Kyiv is being prepared for capitulation. Military difficulties, debates over mobilisation and anti-corruption investigations are reduced to a picture of him losing control and partners’ support. His position on security guarantees is labeled as unwillingness to negotiate.
Discrediting the President by attributing “total war” to him as a means of retaining power
Ukraine's political leadership is portrayed as an isolated group that has lost the support of both the public and the elites, artificially prolonging hostilities. It is claimed that the only way for Volodymyr Zelenskyy to remain in office is to escalate the war, as he would supposedly lose any democratic election.
Amplifying military despair through imagery of “desertion” and “internal rift”
Ukrainian service members are portrayed as a demoralized mass supposedly deserting in droves or openly defying political leadership. This tactic aims to create an illusion of the total collapse of the Armed Forces and inevitable defeat due to internal conflict.