The Atlantic Council studied how the Kremlin’s propaganda theses changed in the years leading up to the invasion of Ukraine.
Analysts at the Atlantic Council released a report on Russian propaganda from 2014 to February 2022, whose key statements shaped public opinion about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Experts believe that propaganda and disinformation, which began to spread in Russia even before the start of a full-scale war in Ukraine, “could be evidence that the Russian authorities are preparing for an invasion.”
The Atlantic Council studied 9 thousand publications of the StopFake and EUvsDisinfo projects for the period from 2014 to 2021. Analysts compiled from them a list of propaganda statements about Ukraine, disseminated by the media of Russia.
Theirs:
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“the Ukrainian army and volunteer formations show brutality”;
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“Ukraine has become a failed state after following Europe”;
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“Ukrainians are Nazis”;
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“the reforms in Ukraine are directed against the Russians”;
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“Russia is not an aggressor”;
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“Ukraine supports terrorism.”
The thesis “Ukrainians are Nazis” has been promoted since 2014, the assertion “Ukraine has become a failed state” appeared in 2016. At the same time, propaganda began to spread the assertion “Ukraine is preparing for war. “
Analysts also studied more than 10 thousand Russian pro-government media publications from December 16, 2021 to the beginning of the invasion. Among them, analysts identified several key statements of Russian propaganda. “Russia wants peace” is the most common statement.
At the same time, the propaganda advanced the following theses:
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“Russia is ready for negotiations with the West”;
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“for Russia, the issue of security is not only a question of Ukraine”;
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“other countries support Russia’s dialogue with NATO”;
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“the Russian army will establish peace”;
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“Russia will not invade Ukraine”;
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“Russia is not a party to Ukraine’s internal conflict in Donbass”;
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“Recognition of the Donbass republics will bring peace.”
“Russia has a moral obligation to protect the region (ie the Donbass – ed.)” is the second most common assertion in Russian propaganda.
“Ukraine is an aggressor” was the third most common statement by Russian pro-government media before the start of the war.
Here’s how the propaganda defines it: “Ukraine plans to invade Donbass”; “Ukraine continues to attack Donbass”; “Ukraine is committing acts of genocide in Donbass.”
“The West (NATO – ed.) is creating tension in the region” – such a statement is often found in publications devoted to Russia’s demands for security guarantees.
“Ukraine is a puppet of the West” – such a statement was quite rarely used in Russian propaganda immediately before the start of the war. Basically – in the context of Russia’s demands for the provision of security guarantees.
The report points to the need to document all cases of Russian propaganda distribution so that after the war this data can be used to prove the accusations against those who unleashed the war in Ukraine.
It will be recalled that Putin, in his message to the Federal Assembly, claimed that Western countries allegedly “enslaved” Ukraine and prepared it for a major war.
Kabaeva compared the activities of Russian propagandists to a Kalashnikov assault rifle
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Source: korrespondent

I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.