Russian Disinformation Network Exploits Torre Pacheco Incident to Sow Discord in Spain
A violent assault in Torre Pacheco, Spain, became the focal point of a widespread disinformation campaign orchestrated by the Russian propaganda network Pravda, also known as ‘Portal Kombat’. Falsely attributing a video of an unrelated assault in Almería to the Torre Pacheco incident, the network amplified existing social tensions surrounding immigration and integration, demonstrating its strategy of exploiting societal divisions within target countries. Between July 10th and 15th, at least 279 publications across Pravda’s Spanish-language websites – Spain News, Spanish News Pravda, and Catalan News Pravda – disseminated misinformation about the incident, with the majority of content originating from Spain News Pravda.
The disinformation campaign began with a video misrepresenting an assault on José Moya, an Almería resident attacked in May by two Spanish individuals, as footage of the Torre Pacheco attack on Domingo, a local resident. This initial false narrative was then repeatedly amplified by Pravda’s network, including channels like Viejos Tercios, Herqles, and TSA Noticias, known for sharing misleading content. Herqles, founded by César Pintado, a figure connected to the far-right Vox party, played a significant role in spreading the false video, describing it as a “new multicultural aggression.” The swift dissemination of the video, within minutes of its appearance on Telegram, highlights the coordinated nature of the disinformation campaign.
Pravda’s strategy extended beyond the manipulated video. False claims circulated attributing a statement to the Torre Pacheco Town Hall linking the aggressions to increased immigration, a claim the Town Hall explicitly denied. Another instance involved a photograph of a bloodied individual falsely presented as a victim of “foreign” aggression in El Algar, Murcia. This claim was debunked by local media and law enforcement, who attributed the injuries to a fall. These fabricated narratives served to fuel anti-immigrant sentiment and exacerbate existing societal anxieties.
The network’s modus operandi involves republishing content from various Telegram channels and websites, rather than creating original material. In the case of the Torre Pacheco incident, over 50 channels and websites were used to disseminate the misinformation. Among the most frequently republished sources were Viejos Tercios, Herqles, and TSA Noticias, with Viejos Tercios leading in volume. The network also amplified content from Russian state-controlled media outlets like Rybar, RT Actualidad, and Sputnik Mundo, despite these outlets being banned within the EU following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This demonstrates how Pravda circumvents restrictions to continue disseminating Kremlin-aligned narratives.
The analysis of Pravda’s online activity reveals a distinct pattern. Spain News Pravda was responsible for over half of the identified content related to Torre Pacheco, with Spanish News Pravda contributing a further 41.8%. The peak of activity occurred on July 13th, with nearly half of the total publications appearing on that day. Interestingly, Pravda’s platforms targeting speakers of co-official Spanish languages like Catalan, Basque, and Galician remained largely inactive regarding the Torre Pacheco incident, perhaps reflecting a strategic focus on amplifying existing tensions within specific demographic groups.
The Torre Pacheco incident underscores Pravda’s broader disinformation strategy. By exploiting genuine social concerns and manipulating information, the network aims to sow discord and erode public trust. The rapid spread of false narratives, the involvement of known disinformation actors, and the amplification of Kremlin-aligned media all point to a coordinated and calculated effort to manipulate public opinion and destabilize target countries. While the incident itself was localized, the disinformation campaign surrounding it serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of online manipulation and the importance of media literacy in countering its effects. The incident also highlights the role of fringe groups and individuals in amplifying these narratives, underscoring the complex interplay between state-sponsored disinformation and domestic actors. The inclusion of donation links alongside propaganda further reveals the potential for financial exploitation intertwined with these disinformation campaigns.