Pro-Russian Disinformation Network Fuels Anti-War Demonstration in Madrid
A recent demonstration in Madrid protesting Spain’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict has raised concerns about the influence of pro-Russian disinformation networks. An investigation by Fundación Maldita.es revealed a significant overlap between accounts promoting the demonstration and those previously disseminating pro-Kremlin narratives and anti-Ukrainian propaganda. The demonstration, held on March 9th, was promoted online under the banner "Peace and Neutrality, Not Our War," advocating for Spanish neutrality in the Ukrainian conflict. Maldita.es’ analysis uncovered a coordinated effort by 28 social media profiles and Telegram channels, boasting over 2 million followers, to publicize the event. These accounts generated an estimated 800,000 impressions within just 24 hours, demonstrating a substantial reach and potential influence on public perception.
The core finding of the investigation centers on the prevalence of pro-Russian disinformation within this network. A staggering 82% of the identified accounts had a history of spreading Kremlin-aligned narratives, including false claims about the Bucha massacre, fabricated accusations against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and conspiracy theories regarding Western aid. The study utilized a sample of 10 unequivocally pro-Russian hoaxes to assess the accounts’ involvement in disinformation campaigns. Disturbingly, 23 out of the 28 accounts had promoted at least one of these falsehoods, with 21 of those accounts having disseminated multiple pro-Russian narratives. This reveals a concerted effort to manipulate public opinion through the spread of fabricated and misleading information.
Beyond the pro-Russian disinformation, the network also engaged in spreading misinformation related to domestic Spanish issues. Half of the accounts had previously promoted false narratives surrounding the DANA natural disaster in Valencia, including conspiracy theories about concealed casualties and the King’s police escort. This demonstrates a broader pattern of disseminating misinformation, not limited to the Ukraine conflict, and suggests an intent to sow discord and distrust within Spanish society. The confluence of pro-Russian and domestic disinformation campaigns raises questions about the network’s ultimate objectives and potential foreign influence.
The demonstration itself was initiated by Rubén Gisbert, who posted a call to action on his Telegram channel and X (formerly Twitter), urging protests against the "warmongering drift" of European politicians regarding Ukraine. Gisbert himself has a history of disseminating pro-Russian disinformation, including false narratives about the Bucha massacre and the involvement of Ukrainian children in the conflict. Following Gisbert’s initial post, 27 other profiles and channels rapidly amplified the message, generating significant online traction. These accounts included prominent disseminators of pro-Russian narratives, such as VerdadesOfenden and the Albatros Telegram channel, which had previously promoted 90% and 70% of the sample hoaxes respectively.
Further adding to the complexity of the situation is the involvement of Spanish News Pravda, a network of websites identified by the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) as a source of disinformation and propaganda. This network actively promoted the demonstration, lending further credence to concerns about coordinated disinformation campaigns. The interconnectedness of these various actors highlights the sophisticated nature of the network and its potential to influence public discourse and political action. The involvement of known disinformation actors underscores the need for critical evaluation of online information and increased vigilance against manipulative tactics.
The Maldita.es investigation utilized rigorous methodology to uncover the connections between the demonstration promoters and pro-Russian disinformation networks. Researchers employed reverse image searches to identify accounts sharing the demonstration poster and conducted manual Telegram searches to expand the scope of the analysis. They focused on accounts with over 2,000 followers to assess the potential reach of the disinformation. The study used a database of debunked misinformation to track the spread of pro-Russian narratives and domestic disinformation related to the DANA disaster. This comprehensive approach provides compelling evidence of a coordinated effort to promote the anti-war demonstration and disseminate misleading information to the public. The findings serve as a cautionary tale about the insidious nature of disinformation and the importance of independent fact-checking and media literacy.