U.S. Political Actors Drive Core Disinformation Narratives

1. Ukraine Support (18.8% of users): Community led by journalists, geopolitical experts and academics geolocated in Ukraine. Users argue that the reasons for Putin’s invasion are focused on territorial expansion within a historical context, not only related to NATO. Messages of support for the Ukrainian people are also present.

Eastern European media report on the photo shoot of school graduates between the ruins of Chernihiv and Kharkiv as well as the revocation of Russia’s recognition of Lithuania’s Declaration of Independence from the USSR, canceling the decree that recognized the founding of Moscow in 1147. Military accounts disseminate first-person images of fighter jets assisting Ukraine and report on the destruction of Russian weaponry by the Ukrainian military.

2. US Support (14.2% of users):

Community led by independent Ukrainian journalists and American academics criticizing Putin’s border expansion strategy. They note challenges of access to food and raw materials as a result of the war, especially in developing or underdeveloped countries. Also, several U.S. Republican politicians are questioned for former meetings with individuals from Putin’s inner circle.

3. 3. US Discontent (13.2% of users): Community led by Republican political figures such as Donald Trump Jr., Congresswoman Lauren Boebert and Senator Michael Rulli, among others. Influential messages criticize the Biden administration, holding them responsible for inflation and high gas prices while also questioning Biden’s handling of the Ukraine conflict. The influence of alt-media domains in this community is notable.
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5. 4. International Discontent (10.9% of users): Community led by journalists, communicators and independent opinion leaders. Russian state media (RT) and the official account of the U.K. Russian embassy are among the most influential profiles in this community. Messages question the US government for the alleged management of bio-laboratories in Ukraine as well as for the bombing of Yugolasvia by NATO, in a US-led operation. Criticism of Ukraine for the Nazi militias present in the country is also emerging. Users also question that the Ukrainian Court has banned the largest opposition party, allegedly not respecting democracy.
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7. 5. U.K. Discontent (7.1% of users): U.K. community where the refugee reception policies of Boris Johnson’s administration are questioned. Several reports, including one from the OECD, predict slow economic growth for the United Kingdom and spark criticisms of the administration’s management of the economy. Criticism of the Conservative party is emerging following reports of donations from Russia since the armed conflict in Ukraine began.
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9. 6. International Media (5.1% of users): WWE media company and international media echo the meeting between the actor and member of the WWE, John Cena, with a Ukrainian refugee who suffers from a disability, motivated by his mother to leave Mariupol with the aim of meeting Cena. Other news of interest include an article about a teenager who has helped Ukraine with his drone and another article about the alleged order in Russian schools of “patriotic” classes firing teachers.

7. Pakistan Community (3.6% of users): Community led by Pakistani citizens who denounce the media silence related to the Israel-Palestine conflict , Chinese treatment of Uyghur minorities, and anti-Muslim feelings in India , compared to media coverage of the conflict in Ukraine. Criticism also stems from the Indian president for covering up alleged bribes to the Indian Ministry of Defense from Ukraine. Comments calling for respect for Pakistan’s decision to continue buying crude oil from Russia as well as Putin’s statements, shared from the Account of the Russian Foreign Ministry, on the two options for a country: sovereignty or colonization, are also distributed widely.