Euroferify: What are European countries more exposed to Russian wrong information?

Ancient Soviet countries and Balkan countries are the main goals of The Kremlin Displacement Information Network PravdaAccording to a new study. The Center for Information, Democracy and Citizenship at the American University BulgariaExamination of more than 640,000 publications On the network between December 2024 and March 2025.

Discover that the old Soviet and Balekan countries They represented 52 % of all publications, although a small part is unparalleled from the inhabitants of the countries included in the study.

Specifically, the three countries are most affected by the wrong information of Pravda Moldavia, Latvia and EstoniaChews Serbia and Armenia Of the first five. Lithuania, Georgia, Slovakia, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic completed the top ten.

The proximity of these countries with each other and statistics show that there is an advanced effort to spread wrong information in Strategic value areas For Karmlin, according to the study.

“Six of the ten countries are mainly targeted by an infrastructure for the critical energy that links European markets to Russian supplies, which indicates a potential strategic interest in the areas of importance For energy securityThe study indicates.

The PRVDA selection pattern coincides with the documented strategies to use information as a tool to expand the effect in the areas that are considered Strategy“The study continues.” The methodological nature of distribution refers to a coordinated campaign instead of an independent activity or organic interest for the public. “

Pravda Network is a group of web sites that have been created for Difusión advertising. It is also known as the fighting portal, PRVDA network activities 17 years old false news In various European languages, its first areas and publications of the ecological system were tracked in 2013.

French agency Viginum, responsible for Digital monitoring and protection against international interventionHe was the first to discover the network. Recently, in February 2024, a report was published announcing the identification of a broad campaign of Wrong information in Europe.

Why Moldova in the front line of Russian wrong information?

One of the geographical reasons: It is so It is located between Ukraine and RomaniaWhich represents the borders between Eastern and Western Europe, various areas of influence, according to the study.

Another is its political context: In June 2022, the position of the European Union candidate was granted and is currently suffering from tensions Between the professional factions and the Barao. This is also linked to its history: as is the case with the ancient Soviet Republic, Moldova Economic, cultural and historical relations with MoscowWhile trying to approach the European Union.

Why does Russia specifically refer to Eastern Europe?

Russia focuses on its wrong information more intense on the countries closest to it Old foreign and interior practicesAccording to Sofia Freudine, a researcher in the Sunlight American project, an initiative aimed at protecting American democracy from threatening wrong information.

“The Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and the Russian Union have practiced regional expansion as a means Driving power and supposed survival“Tell Euroverify.” What we see in the digital space is not different; It is not by chance that Ukraine was among the main competitions Russian wrong information goals Even before you start Euromaidan and the subsequent war in Donbás. “

Refer Balkan “interesting case” Because Moscow has not historically considered those countries a cross. On the other hand, the Balkan represents no “The field of historical influence of Russia It depends largely on the offensive realism philosophy to justify this matter, more materially, to the Balkan as a file The back door of EuropeFreudine said.

“Since many Balkan countries are members of the European Union and/or NATO, or because Serbia has aspirations, they are now special means Russian wrong information mode Within a useful, closed and increasingly controlled space to Russian digital intervention. This is more healthy only with the European Union to prohibit this RT entities operate in EuropeHe added.

What kind of wrong information novels is shared in these countries?

As in many parts of the world, Diaspora novels Participation by Russian actors tend to focus on the war in Ukraine, the United States and NATO.

propaganda

“The main goal of Russian wrong information operations Since the war began, it would sell the wrong narration that Russia somehow had to invade Ukraine because Ukraine has become a doll from the United States and NATO. ”They are trying to sell this novel around the world, inside and outside the west, As a way to justify your war“.

In addition, Freudine says that Russian wrong information was reviewed to the Balkans with Theories of anti -club conspiracy And the wrong information, which was especially correct during the peak of the pandemic Covid-19When Russia was trying to promote its vaccine and remove legitimacy from Western efforts to control the virus.

Russia also tends to amplify Differential narration Or ethnic from the far right in the east and southeastern Europe. “The main reason is to divide the European population and stimulate the hatred of foreigners and Antieuropeo feeling“Freudine says.” The divided Europe is much easier than overcoming the United Europe. “

What can Eastern Europe do to face Russian wrong information?

Countries must adopt an approach that includes the entire society Fighting wrong informationAccording to Freudine. Teaching children and adults in informational literacy -which covers literacy Media and digital and artificial intelligenceIt is very important, “clearer.” The population will not be immune from Russian wrong information if they are taught to define and avoid it. “

propaganda

Governments must finance their own agencies, as well as civil society organizations, to monitor and combat foreign wrong information. “with The collapse of the United States Agency for International DevelopmentWe see the number of projects and agencies that are closed Control of wrong information Around the world, “Freuderne said.” This only helps Acting anti -democracy actors such as Russia and China To impose its authoritarian goals on the foreign policy on the weak population. “