Understanding Russian disinformation strategies inside and outside the country

Abstract

This paper examines Russia’s disinformation strategies aimed at domestic and foreign audiences to justify its war against Ukraine. It outlines the Kremlin’s use of state-sponsored propaganda distributed via official media, social networks, and proxies to manipulate public opinion and divide Russia’s adversaries. Key tactics include spreading false narratives around protecting Russian speakers abroad, conspiracy theories about Russophobic enemies, historical revisionism, and distorting current events regarding alleged war crimes. The analysis details how this coordinated disinformation network sustains an illusion of legitimacy and weakens unity around supporting Ukraine. It argues identifying standardized sources and tactics can help effectively counter this multifaceted threat to political stability and democratic processes.