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Feb 24, 2026

Here’s a current synthesis of the main narratives being pushed by Russian state-linked propaganda farms, troll networks, and coordinated disinformation operations about the war in Ukraine, based on recent reporting and analysis from independent researchers, fact-checking bodies and official EU/Western monitoring efforts:

Recent major developments in Russian propaganda on Ukraine.

🔹 1. Denial & Minimisation of Russia’s Responsibility

A foundational narrative inside Russia and spreading outward is that:

The invasion isn’t a war, but a “special military operation,” minimising its scale and legality.  Russia portrays itself as acting defensively rather than as an aggressor. Russian media often deny or underplay Russian military losses, civilian casualties, or war crimes. 

This is aimed not just at Russian speakers but also at external audiences who might be uncertain or sceptical about Western reporting.

🔹 2. Delegitimisation of Ukraine

Propaganda networks continue to push narratives designed to undermine Ukraine’s legitimacy and character:

Ukraine has no real nationhood or identity separate from Russia. This is used to justify Russia’s territorial claims and war aims.  Ukraine is ruled by Nazis, extremists, or illegitimate leaders. This old Kremlin trope persists, even though it’s not grounded in reality.  Ukraine is corrupt, unstable and a failed state and therefore not worthy of Western support. 

These narratives target both domestic Russian audiences and Western publics who might be undecided or wavering about support for Kyiv.

🔹 3. Anti-Western & Anti-NATO Messaging

A very broad theme across Russian propaganda is casting the war as a confrontation between Russia and the West, not Russia and Ukraine:

The West (NATO/EU/US) is the real aggressor, intent on encircling or destroying Russia.  Western sanctions are failing or harmful to Western citizens, while Russia prospers.  Western media and governments are Russophobic or hypocritical. 

These narratives aim to weaken Western resolve, encourage political division, and exploit scepticism of elites in democracies.

🔹 4. Fake Tactical Claims About the Battlefield

State and proxy media often make unsubstantiated claims of Russian success or imminent victory, such as:

Claims of large territorial gains that are far exaggerations of reality.  Statements that Ukraine is on the verge of collapse. 

The purpose is to demoralise Ukrainian supporters and pressure Western publics to withdraw support.

🔹 5. Manipulating Peace & Diplomacy Narratives

As diplomacy and ceasefire proposals arise, propaganda tries to:

Portray Russia as genuinely seeking peace, while painting Ukraine and its allies as warmongers.  Suggest peace deals would be detrimental to Ukraine but beneficial to the West — a tactical narrative to divide Kyiv from its partners.

🔹 6. Information Warfare on Social Media & AI Platforms

In recent years, Russia-linked operations have expanded into digital platforms beyond traditional media:

Troll farms and bot networks impersonate real outlets or create fake accounts to spread disinformation.  AI-generated personas and fake logos are used to distribute misleading content about Ukraine’s policies.  Propaganda has been detected within some AI chatbot outputs, mirroring Kremlin talking points. 

This broader digital effort is less about convincing everyone of a coherent alternative story and more about sowing confusion, distrust, and fatigue.

🔹 7. Cultural & Emotional Drivers

State narratives also tap into historical, cultural, and ideological themes:

Framing the conflict as a re-run of the Great Patriotic War (WWII) or as a defence of Russian civilisation.  Using nostalgic Soviet symbols and heroism to legitimise the war internally. 

These emotional cues help sustain support among domestic Russian audiences even as the human cost of the war rises.

📌 How These Narratives Are Distributed

Russian propaganda doesn’t come only from official state media like RT/Zvezda/TASS — it’s amplified by:

Networks like the Pravda network of pro-Kremlin sites.  Disinformation operations such as Doppelgänger, impersonating Western outlets.  Coordinated troll accounts, botnets, and far-right sympathisers on platforms like X, Telegram, and YouTube. 

The goal is not merely persuasion but to fragment public discourse, making it harder for audiences to agree on basic facts.

🧠 In Summary

Russian propaganda around the Ukraine war today broadly aims to:

Legitimise the invasion domestically and internationally. Demonise Ukraine and its allies. Undermine Western unity and resolve. Exploit digital platforms to seed confusion and division.

These narratives are adaptive — they shift with events on the battlefield and in global politics — but they consistently try to weaken support for Ukraine and erode trust in democratic institutions.