When Russia launched its unprovoked attack on Ukraine in February 2022, it started another parallel battle: the war for hearts and minds. Domestically, Russia had to justify its actions to its citizens and — where possible — find sympathy abroad. In its bid to win over onlookers, Russia is turning to the crudest forms of disinformation, deliberately distorting evidence for its own benefit.
Russia’s war on Ukraine offers ample evidence of state propaganda and high levels of disinformation. Broadly, it’s been successful. Even if precise percentages are hard to ascertain, evidence on hand suggests that many Russians who regularly watch state television, especially those over 45, tend to accept the Kremlin’s justifications for the war.
For counter-disinformation efforts to succeed, understanding why people buy into state propaganda is essential.
