Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space: Final report
Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 3 August 2020 and 21 February 2021.
Below are presented the partial results of the monitoring conducted by the Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis as a part of the “Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space” project and implemented during the period of 3 August 2020 to 28 February 2021.
Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 3 and 30 August 2020.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Quantitative analysis:
Monitored media outlets: ria.ru, rbc.ru, russian.rt.com
Subject area: Poland, European Union, United Kingdom, Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia)
Time frame: 3-30 August 2020
Total number of news published on ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com: 27039, namely 19057 news from ria.ru (from 4468 to 5405 news per week), 3152 news from rbr.ru (from 771 to 812 news per week) and 4830 news from russian.rt.com (from 1146 to 1290 news per week).
Total number of news about Poland, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) in the monitored media: 1760, namely 875 news from ria.ru, 457 news from rbc.ru and 428 news from russian.rt.com. The news about Poland, the EU, the UK and Baltic states accounted for 4,6% of all the news published on ria.ru, 14,5% on rbc.ru and 8,9% – on russian.rt.com. This news together accounted for 6,5% of all the news published in the monitored websites in August 2020. This was the month with the highest percentage of news related to the analysed topics of all the news published during the conducted media monitoring.
Total number of the monitored news: 1760, including 527 news on Poland (which accounts for 1,9% of all the news published in the monitored media in August 2020), 475 news on the European Union (1,8%), 402 news on Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) (1,5%) and 356 news on the United Kingdom (1,3%).
Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 31 August and 27 September 2020.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Quantitative analysis:
Monitored media outlets: ria.ru, rbc.ru, russian.rt.com
Subject area: Poland, European Union, United Kingdom, Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia)
Time frame: 31 August-27 September 2020
Total number of news published on ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com: 29512, namely 21319 news from ria.ru (from 5065 to 5428 news per week), 3075 news from rbr.ru (from 710 to 827 news per week) and 5118 news from russian.rt.com (from 1250 to 1304 news per week). There was an increase in total number of published news compared to August 2020.
Total number of news about Poland, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) in the monitored media: 1834, namely 930 news from ria.ru, 508 news from rbc.ru and 396 news from russian.rt.com. The news about Poland, the EU, the UK and Baltic states accounted for 4,4% of all the news published on ria.ru, 16,5% on rbc.ru and 7,7% – on russian.rt.com. This news together accounted for 6,2% of all the news published in the monitored websites in September 2020. There was an increase in total number of news on monitored topics, whilst the percentage of all published news has decreased compared to the previous month. September 2020 saw the highest total number of published news about Poland, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) in the monitored media.
Total number of the monitored news: 1834, including 542 news on the European Union (which accounts for 1,8% of all the news published in the monitored media in September 2020), 522 news on the United Kingdom (1,8%), 426 news on Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) (1,4%) and 344 news on Poland (1,2%).
Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 28 September and 1 November 2020.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Quantitative analysis:
Monitored media outlets: ria.ru, rbc.ru, russian.rt.com
Subject area: Poland, European Union, United Kingdom, Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia)
Time frame: 28 September-1 November 2020
Total number of news published on ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com: 38604, namely 28222 news from ria.ru (from 5406 to 5851 news per week), 4015 news from rbr.ru (from 782 to 839 news per week) and 6367 news from russian.rt.com (from 1009 to 1389 news per week). There was an increase in total number of published news compared to September 2020 and the highest monthly number of published news during the conducted media monitoring was recorded.
Total number of news about Poland, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) in the monitored media: 1651, namely 825 news from ria.ru, 378 news from rbc.ru and 448 news from russian.rt.com. The news about Poland, the EU, the UK and Baltic states accounted for 2,9% of all the news published on ria.ru, 9,4% on rbc.ru and 7,0% – on russian.rt.com. This news together accounted for 4,3% of all the news published in the monitored websites in October 2020. There was a decrease in total number of news on monitored topics, both in terms of numbers and percentage shares of all the published news compared to the previous month.
Total number of the monitored news: 1651, including 611 news on the European Union (which accounts for 1,6% of all the news published in the monitored media in October 2020), 504 news on the United Kingdom (1,3%), 275 news on Poland (0,7%) and 261 news on Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) (0,7%).
Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 2-29 November 2020.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Quantitative analysis:
Monitored media outlets: ria.ru, rbc.ru, russian.rt.com
Subject area: Poland, European Union, United Kingdom, Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia)
Time frame: 2-29 November 2020
Total number of news published on ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com: 31671, namely 23088 news from ria.ru (from 5656 to 5849 news per week), 3196 news from rbr.ru (from 743 to 866 news per week) and 5387 news from russian.rt.com (from 1317 to 1367 news per week). There was a decrease in total number of published news compared to October 2020.
Total number of news about Poland, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) in the monitored media: 1026, namely 536 news from ria.ru, 242 news from rbc.ru and 248 news from russian.rt.com. The news about Poland, the EU, the UK and Baltic states accounted for 2,3% of all the news published on ria.ru, 7,6% on rbc.ru and 4,6% – on russian.rt.com. This news together accounted for 3,2% of all the news published in the monitored websites in November 2020. There was a decrease in total number of news on monitored topics, both in terms of numbers and percentage shares of all the published news compared to the previous month. November 2020 saw the lowest total number of published news about Poland, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) in the monitored media.
Total number of the monitored news: 1026, including 343 news on the European Union (which accounts for 1,1% of all the news published in the monitored media in November 2020), 323 news on the United Kingdom (1,0%), 217 news on Poland (0,7%) and 144 news on Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) (0,5%).
Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 30 November 2020 and 3 January 2021.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Quantitative analysis:
Monitored media outlets: ria.ru, rbc.ru, russian.rt.com
Subject area: Poland, European Union, United Kingdom, Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia)
Time frame: 30 November 2020-3 January 2021
Total number of news published on ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com: 35911, namely 26217 news from ria.ru (from 3989 to 5819 news per week), 3358 news from rbr.ru (from 473 to 734 news per week) and 6336 news from russian.rt.com (from 1130 to 1408 news per week). There was an increase in total number of published news compared to November 2020. The only exception is the last week of December, which due to holiday season preparations in Russia, the Russian media are usually less active.
Total number of news about Poland, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) in the monitored media: 1685, namely 846 news from ria.ru, 482 news from rbc.ru and 357 news from russian.rt.com. The news about Poland, the EU, the UK and Baltic states accounted for 3,2% of all the news published on ria.ru, 10,6% on rbc.ru and 7,6% – on russian.rt.com. This news together accounted for 4,7% of all the news published in the monitored websites in December 2020. There was an increase in total number of news on monitored topics compared to November 2020.
Total number of the monitored news: 1685, including 836 news on the United Kingdom (which accounts for 2,3% of all the news published in the monitored media in December 2020), 505 news on the European Union (1,4%), 182 news on Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) (0,5%) and 162 news on Poland (0,5%).
Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 4-31 January 2021.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Quantitative analysis:
Monitored media outlets: ria.ru, rbc.ru, russian.rt.com
Subject area: Poland, European Union, United Kingdom, Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia)
Time frame: 4-31 January 2021
Total number of news published on ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com: 26417, namely 18935 news from ria.ru (from 3412 to 5327 news per week), 2521 news from rbr.ru (from 428 to 719 news per week) and 4961 news from russian.rt.com (from 898 to 1372 news per week). There was a decrease in total number of published news compared to December 2020. The first week of January, similarly to the last week of December, traditionally due to the holiday season of Russia was characterized by a decreased activity of Russian media. In January 2021, the lowest monthly number of published news during the conducted media monitoring period was recorded.
Total number of news about Poland, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) in the monitored media: 1183, namely 582 news from ria.ru, 274 news from rbc.ru and 327 news from russian.rt.com. The news about Poland, the EU, the UK and Baltic states accounted for 3,1% of all the news published on ria.ru, 10,9% on rbc.ru and 6,6% – on russian.rt.com. This news together accounted for 4,5% of all the news published in the monitored websites in January 2021. There was a decrease in total number of news on monitored topics, both in terms of numbers and percentage shares of all the published news compared to the previous month.
Total number of the monitored news: 1183, including 503 news on the United Kingdom (which accounts for 1,9% of all the news published in the monitored media in January 2021), 427 news on the European Union (1,6%), 146 news on Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) (0,6%) and 107 news on Poland (0,4%).
Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 1-21 February 2021.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Quantitative analysis:
Monitored media outlets: ria.ru, rbc.ru, russian.rt.com
Subject area: Poland, European Union, United Kingdom, Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia)
Time frame: 1-21 February 2021
Total number of news published on ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com: 21935, namely 15807 news from ria.ru (from 5226 to 5301 news per week), 2211 news from rbr.ru (from 710 to 761 news per week) and 3917 news from russian.rt.com (from 1257 to 1382 news per week). There was an increase in total number of published news on a weekly basis compared to January 2021.
Total number of news about Poland, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) in the monitored media: 1183, namely 599 news from ria.ru, 253 news from rbc.ru and 327 news from russian.rt.com. The news about Poland, the EU, the UK and Baltic states accounted for 3,8% of all the news published on ria.ru, 11,4% on rbc.ru and 8,5% – on russian.rt.com. This news together accounted for 5,4% of all the news published in the monitored websites in February 2021. The number of news on analysed topics remained at the same level, whilst the percentage of all published news has increased compared to the previous month.
Total number of the monitored news: 1183, including 585 news on the European Union (which accounts for 2,7% of all the news published in the monitored media in February 2021), 271 news on the United Kingdom (1,2%), 172 news on Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) (0,8%) and 155 news on Poland (0,7%).
Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 31 August 2020 and 14 February 2021.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Quantitative analysis:
Monitored media outlets: ria.ru, rbc.ru, russian.rt.com
Subject area: NATO and Belarus
Time frame: 31 August 2020-14 February 2021
Total number of news published on ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com: 176627, namely 128308 news from ria.ru (September - 21319, October - 28222, November - 23088, December - 26217, January 2021 - 18935, February - 10527), 17615 news from rbr.ru (September - 3075, October - 4015, November - 3196, December - 3358, January 2021 - 2521, February - 1450) and 30704 news from russian.rt.com (September - 5118, October - 6367, November - 5387, December - 6336, January 2021 - 4961, February - 2535). The largest number of published news was recorded in October 2020, the least - in January 2021.
Total number of news about NATO in the monitored media: 1085, namely 740 news from ria.ru, 113 news from rbc.ru and 232 news from russian.rt.com. The news about NATO accounted for 0,6% of all the news published on ria.ru, 0,6% on rbc.ru and 0,8% – on russian.rt.com. This news together accounted for 0,6% of all the news published in the monitored websites during the media monitoring carried out. The largest number of news about NATO was published in December 2020 - 274, the least - 122 - in September 2020.
Total number of news about Belarus in the monitored media: 1653, namely 1362 news from ria.ru, 71 news from rbc.ru and 220 news from russian.rt.com. The news about Belarus accounted for 1,1% of all the news published on ria.ru, 0,4% on rbc.ru and 0,7% – on russian.rt.com. This news together accounted for 0,9% of all the news published in the monitored websites during the media monitoring carried out. The largest number of news about Belarus was published in December 2020 - 795, the least - 80 - in September 2020.
SUMMARY: Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 3 August 2020 and 21 February 2021.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
The image of Poland in Russian online media as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 3 August 2020 and 21 February 2021.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
The dominant topic of the monitoring on Poland during the first part of the study was the situation in Belarus after the presidential elections in August 2020. Numerous statements of the Belarusian president A. Lukashenko and Belarusian officials quoted by the Russian media referred to, among others, the alleged role of Poland and Baltic states in inciting the Belarusian protests. Later on, A. Lukashenko suggested that NATO was increasing its military presence in Poland and Lithuania and Poland itself was planning to take over the Grodno Region.
Other topics related to Poland widely discussed in the Russian media:
Poland was still being portrayed, according to conventional schemes, as a Rusophobic country that unjustifiably considers Russia a threat, is supported by the U.S. and NATO, and for its own political interests sabotages “purely economic” projects such as Nord Stream 2. The image of Poland is negatively shaped in the Russian online media.
The image of the European Union in Russian online media as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 3 August 2020 and 21 February 2021.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
In case of the monitoring of articles referring to the European Union, it was noticeable that Russian media and Russian officials were more reserved towards the political actions of the EU Member States.
Russian information space in the context of the European Union was characterized by a great diversity of topics that were of interest to the media. Political, economic and COVID-19-related issues were the three dominant subject areas.
During the analysed period, among the prevalent topics the political situation in Belarus after the presidential elections, the case of Alexei Navalny and the issue of Nord Stream 2 construction can be listed.
Quantitatively, the monitoring of information on the European Union included a significantly larger number of articles per week compared to, for example, Poland, which also indicates a considerable interest of Russian media in the issue of the relations with the EU and the internal situation of the EU Member States.
An important theme was building the image of Russia as a key player in the European international relations and highlighting that it is the European leaders – E. Macron and A. Merkel – that have been reaching out to V. Putin regarding the stabilisation of the situation in Belarus. Invariably, Russian diplomacy was invoking the international law and emphasizing that Russia upholds the international order, including the sovereignty of states.
Image of the Baltic countries (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) in Russian online media as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 3 August 2020 and 21 February 2021.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Russian media, through its narrative, was often targeting the Baltic states. The media coverage was portraying them as a place of a revival of fascism and widespread Russophobia. The pro-Kremlin narratives were trying to influence the mentality of those countries' populations, domestic issues as well as the foreign policies of their governments. Undertaken measures were extensive and varied depending on the subject area or the country. Its goal was to create chaos, deepen the social polarization and decrease the public trust towards state institutions and, to a greater extent, towards the international organizations and integration initiatives of the Western states. The dynamics of these actions had increased during the pandemic – indicating the ineffectiveness of the West in the fight against the crisis or the spread of conspiracy theories. Russian media was manipulating the information, presenting incomplete data, on a disproportionate scale or in the false context.
Main narratives:
- Russia accused the governments of Baltic states of censorship and blocking Russian media, discrimination against the Russian-speaking minority as well as unjustified investigations of journalists investigations of Russian-speaking journalists. Baltic states were also accused by the Kremlin of violating the freedom of speech, violating civil rights and democratic values and an intentional discrediting of Russia and Russian media.
- Anti-EU or anti-NATO narratives were a constant feature of the Russian informational influence towards the Baltic states in order to undermine the integration bonds between the North Atlantic Alliance's or European Union's member states. The purpose of such narratives was to shape and reinforce the Eurosceptic views of the target group and break up the political unity of both organizations.
- Main goal of the Russian disinformation in the analyzed period was to create a negative image of the West – specifically to demonstrate the weaknesses of both the Union and the North Atlantic Alliance, along with the argument that being their member is detrimental to the Baltic states.
- Russia was also glorifying the Soviet past of those countries and emphasized their "fall" that followed their accession into the Western structures.
Disinformation activities were intended to undermine trust in governments and discredit them, incite conflicts, promote the Russian narrative of its moral superiority over the West, and spread conspiracy theories. In the international context, the goal was also to undermine the authority of the Western institutions, e.g. EU and NATO.
The image of the United Kingdom in Russian online media as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 3 August 2020 and 21 February 2021.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Along with the beginning of the spread of coronavirus in the world, a growing Russian disinformation and propaganda regarding this topic could be observed. Disinformation in the Russian information space was mainly related to the origin of coronavirus, effectiveness of vaccines from various countries, methods of treatment of the disease or self-diagnosis. Blatant misinformation of the society was aimed at leading to a decline in citizens' trust towards the government of the country concerned, which as a result was supposed to intensify the sense of danger.
In order to strengthen the lack of public trust, Russian media was also spreading numerous conspiracy theories on vaccines. According to one of them, the role of a vaccine boiled down to strengthening control over society through, among others, using microchipping, and even reducing the world's population by introducing mass vaccinations.
On the other hand, narratives about the coronavirus vaccine registered in Russia were appearing most often in the context of promoting this drug substance as a cure-all and undermining the Western countries.
We identified a consistently conducted disinformation campaign with regard to the strong interest in Sputnik V in the world, indicating potential recipients in the countries of Latin America, the former USSR, the Middle East and Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, or non-EU part of the Balkans.
One of the examples of such campaign was the attempt to discredit the Western pharmaceutical companies. A narrative appeared in the Russian media, according to which the Russian Sputnik V vaccine was the most effective one against COVID-19 in the world, making Russia a leader in this area. Along with that, Russian media was spreading a theory that criticism towards their vaccine in the Western states was based solely on political and economic reasons, and not scientific ones.
The image of Belarus in Russian online media as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 31 August 2020 and 14 February 2021.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
The information appearing in the context of Belarus can be divided into three parts:
1. Information on the internal situation of Belarus targeted at the Russian society,
2. Coverage directed towards the Russian-speaking audience from Belarus,
3. Information targeted at both groups of recipients at the same time, related to security, stability and cooperation of Russia and Belarus.
In the studied period, Russian media were trying to emphasize the tremendous value of the cooperation of both countries in all possible areas, and present Russia as a defender of stability and sovereignty of Belarus. Russia was displayed as a protector of Belarus on the international stage (from NATO's aggression), as well as on the domestic level in the context of the stability of public life (support of the nation in the fight against the archaic system).
There were very few references to the Belarusian-Russian military cooperation in the analyzed period, but some information indicated that it was being strengthened.
An important topic for propaganda purposes was providing Belarus, as the first country in the world, with Sputnik V vaccine. The COVID-19 topic in relations of both countries was mentioned in the context of predominantly positive reports – the opening of borders, supply of vaccines, scientific cooperation and Russian support.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Below are presented the most important mechanisms and techniques used by the monitored Russian media as exemplified by the topic of Belarus:
- The people who were spreading the message were primarily the Russian politicians, especially V. Putin himself. Citing the Russian officials was aimed at strengthening this message. Particularly when citing or referring to V. Putin's statements, which have been treated as doctrines and even a “revealed truth”.
- The rhetoric of the only rational choice. Information about the enormous debt of Belarus to Russia was shared, which seemed to be connected to the rhetoric of “the only rational choice” for Belarus, which is the cooperation or unification with Russia.
- Since October 2020, a mechanism that can be described as “stabilization from the top” was being intensively built. It was based on imposing a rhetoric, discourse and actions towards the return to normality or stability, presenting measures and political declarations that were supposed to suggest that the protests were starting to fade despite the ongoing high social unrest.
The image of NATO in Russian online media as exemplified by the articles published by ria.ru, rbr.ru and russian.rt.com between 31 August 2020 and 14 February 2021.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
In the coverage regarding Russia-NATO relations, the Russian Federation was showcased as a besieged fortress, which has to defend itself from the Western aggression, and a victim of an unfair game. According to the studied media, the reason behind such situation lies in Western Russophobia, viewed as a panic fear but also hatred towards the Russian state.
- At the end of 2020, media started underlining the strategic significance of Belarus with regard to Russia and its relations with NATO. Additionally the Russian-Belarusian sphere of security was being associated. A commonly used technique was discrediting, often combined with ridiculing the opponents, such as the Joe Biden administration or A. Navalny and protesters connected to him.
- During the entire monitoring, the neo-Cold War rhetoric tied with slogans such as: the arms race, nuclear war, bipolar system.
- From the media perspective, Russia was presented as a “creator and guarantor of peace”, while the U.S. and NATO – as an instigator and destabilizing actor.
Source: Own elaboration, Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis
During the analyzed period, Russian media emphasized the increasing pressure of NATO, pointing out the aggressive and/or provocative actions of the Alliance in the immediate vicinity of Russia. A considerable part of the articles was showing disputes inside NATO, revealing that the collective defense of the Alliance is just an illusion.
At the same time, Ukraine was described as the Trojan horse of the West against Russia and the post-USSR area. However, the main burning topic was not the war in Eastern Ukraine, but the issue of the Russian base in Crimea, possibility of training and joint NATO-Russian drills. The message also suggested that Ukraine rushed in to the path leading to the integration with NATO, which threatens Russia.
The topic of armaments, new weapons, military equipment etc. was visible in each monitored week. It mostly included praise for the Russian solutions' superiority over NATO's. However, it was not just about the new solutions that are or might be included in the military. There was also a mention of Soviet era weaponry, which despite its age it is still better than the one manufactured in the West according to Russians (propaganda of success).
An important topic that could be observed each month was the military provocations of both sides, and therefore the mutual attempts to violate borders, and Russia-NATO military units' tracking. In the media reports there was a frequent topic of border violations or, perceived as dangerous, concentration of troops along the border. Russia was trying to present itself as a an equal player against the U.S. and a proportionate opponent of NATO, while stressing that the measures were peaceful. According to the Russian side, actions related to militarization or the use of military force were merely a response to the Alliance's aggressive behavior. This information did not refer to political relations, but its nature could have been directed at showing the fragility of Russian-NATO relations.
The monitoring and analysis was conducted by: Dr. Karol Kwietniewski, Adam Błonowski, Bartosz Gralicki
Project coordinator and editorial supervision: Marta Kowalska
Graphic layout and editorial supervision: Katarzyna Rogala
See related:
- Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space between 3 and 30 August 2020
- Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space between 31 August and 27 September 2020
- Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space between 28 September and 1 November 2020
- Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space between 2-29 November 2020
- Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space between 30 November 2020 and 3 January 2021
- Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space between 4-31 January 2021
- Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space between 1-21 February 2021
- Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space between 31 August 2020 and 14 February 2021
The publication is part of the project: “Monitoring and analysis of the Russian information space”. The project was carried out in cooperation of the Center for Propaganda and Disinformation Analysis (CAPD) and Open Information Partnership (OIP). The publication solely reflects the authors’ opinions and should not be equated with the official position of the Open Information Partnership. The publication serves as contribution to the public debate.