Russian propaganda structures have launched a new tool of information warfare – a pseudo-fact-checker website that positions itself as an independent resource for fact-checking. In fact, according to Ukrainian think tanks, this site is engaged in spreading disinformation, disguising fakes as “refutations.” In particular, the site actively “refutes” confirmed evidence of Russian war crimes, denying the shelling of civilian infrastructure and calling it “staged.” <\/p>\n\n
The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council reports that the site was created to legitimize narratives favorable to the Kremlin through pseudoscientific materials, manipulative infographics, and fake expert assessments. According to experts, the resource has a clear-cut task – to create a false impression of impartiality and objectivity, focusing primarily on a foreign audience. In this way, Moscow is trying to influence public opinion in the EU and North America by discrediting reliable sources of information. <\/p>\n\n
Some publications on the site directly copy the propaganda theses of Russian state media, but are presented in a different format – using terms typical of investigative journalism and fact-checking activities. In this way, the effect of “justifying” dubious statements is achieved – the audience is offered “refutations” based on a distorted or selective interpretation of facts. <\/p>\n\n
In addition, the Matryoshka bot farm, which falsifies media content, has become more active online. This includes the creation of clone sites of Western publications, such as The National and The Independent, which publish fake materials aimed at discrediting Ukraine’s top leadership. For example, a fake news article claims that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is “ready to personally beg Putin to stop the war,” which directly contradicts Kyiv’s position on preventing negotiations on the aggressor’s terms. <\/p>\n\n
According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, publications of this type are massively distributed through social networks X, BlueSky, and messengers, including Telegram. The goal is to influence the information field before attempts at international negotiations by demonstrating the alleged “inadequacy” of the Ukrainian government and the “unconstructiveness” of its positions. <\/p>\n\n
Cybersecurity experts warn that the presence of websites with signs of fact-checking does not guarantee the reliability of the information they disseminate. Criteria to consider include openness of funding, ties to international fact-checking initiatives, and participation in networks such as Poynter or IFCN. <\/p>\n\n
Experts advise carefully checking sources, verifying information with several independent channels, and using trusted platforms with a proven track record. In particular, in case of doubt about the authenticity of the news, you should refer to the official websites of international media, fact-checking databases, or directly to the original sources. <\/p>\n\n
We continue to investigate the activities of suspicious information resources linked to Russia and monitor their impact on the Ukrainian and international information environment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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