Russian Disinformation Campaign Targets Former Soviet Republics and Balkans, Study Finds
A new study reveals a sophisticated Russian disinformation campaign targeting former Soviet republics and Balkan countries. The research, conducted by the Center for Information, Democracy and Citizenship at the American University in Bulgaria, analyzed over 643,600 articles published by the "Pravda" network across 45 countries between December 2024 and March 2025. The findings indicate a concentrated effort to manipulate public opinion and destabilize these regions, with a disproportionate amount of content directed towards vulnerable populations. The study highlights the Kremlin’s strategic use of information warfare to advance its geopolitical interests.
The Pravda network, a sprawling web of approximately 190 websites in 83 languages, emerged following the European Union’s ban on Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. This ban, intended to curb the spread of Kremlin propaganda, inadvertently spurred the creation of a more diffuse and insidious disinformation ecosystem. The network, according to the study, strategically targets former Soviet republics and Balkan countries, exploiting existing vulnerabilities and aiming to undermine their Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
The study’s findings underscore the alarming concentration of disinformation efforts in these regions. Moldova, Latvia, and Estonia top the list of targeted countries, with Serbia ranking fourth. The per capita exposure to these disinformation campaigns in these nations is staggering, exceeding that of Western European countries by a factor of 50. This targeted approach suggests a deliberate attempt to manipulate public narratives and sow discord within societies crucial to Russia’s geopolitical ambitions. The Balkans, despite representing only 3.2% of the total population analyzed, receive a disproportionate 16.2% of the Pravda network’s content. This stark contrast with Western Europe, which comprises 43.7% of the population but receives only 21.3% of the content, further emphasizes the strategic nature of this disinformation campaign.
The report warns of the potentially devastating consequences of this disinformation campaign, including the erosion of democratic institutions, increased social division, and regional instability. By spreading false narratives and fostering distrust in established institutions, the Kremlin seeks to weaken these countries’ ties with the West and create an environment conducive to its own influence. The researchers argue that the Kremlin’s strategy is to exploit existing societal divisions, amplify anxieties, and promote pro-Russian narratives, ultimately aiming to destabilize these regions and hinder their integration with the Euro-Atlantic community.
The study also highlights the critical role of independent media in countering this disinformation offensive. Radio Free Europe, specifically, is identified as a "leading voice of democracy" and a "key counterweight" to Russian propaganda. The authors criticize the US government’s decision to cut funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) as a "strategic mistake," especially at a time when the Kremlin is intensifying its disinformation activities. The funding cut, implemented by the Trump administration in March 2025, severely hampered RFE/RL’s ability to counter Russian narratives and provide accurate information to vulnerable populations. The authors argue that this decision effectively undermined a crucial bulwark against disinformation and played into the hands of the Kremlin.
The study serves as a stark warning about the evolving nature of disinformation and its potential to destabilize regions and undermine democratic processes. The findings underscore the urgent need for governments, civil society organizations, and tech companies to work together to counter these threats. It also raises serious concerns about the implications of undermining independent media outlets, particularly those operating in regions targeted by disinformation campaigns. The study’s authors call for increased investment in media literacy programs, fact-checking initiatives, and independent journalism to counter the corrosive effects of disinformation and protect democratic values. They emphasize the importance of supporting organizations like RFE/RL, which play a crucial role in providing accurate information and promoting critical thinking in vulnerable regions.
