Identified websites in Germany that help spread pro-Russian narratives and topics that support the Kremlin's agenda

  It is clear that Russia is waging a war of propaganda and disinformation against Europe, whereas it is waging a real war against Ukraine, seizing its territories. An analysis of key Kremlin media narratives in different languages reveals that their campaign’s main goal is to force the West to stop supporting Ukraine and make concessions to Putin, probably by giving him the occupied territories and thus recognizing the redrawing of borders in Europe by military means.

News websites that tend to support pro - Russian, Euroskeptic, and anti - American views, as well as those close to the positions of right - wing radical parties, often pick up such narratives. Consciously or unconsciously, such web resources play into the hands of the Kremlin’s agenda. Such news reports are becoming a tool for spreading Russian and pro - Russian influence in Europe.

During the content analysis, we have identified key pro - Russian narratives targeting audiences in Europe. We list them below with a few examples from German websites.

• The West and NATO are to blame for the war in Ukraine.

• Ukraine is a proxy state for the West.

• Ukraine and the West are losing; Russia is winning.

• Russia is fighting NATO forces in Ukraine.

• The French and other NATO troops are already present in Ukraine.

• Nuclear threats from Russia.

• The inexpediency of Western support for Ukraine.

• The West is declining and losing influence in the world.

• Favorable coverage for right-wing radical parties in light of the elections.

• Fake news about the Ukrainian government sending children to the frontlines, as well as pregnant women being sent to the trenches.