Many Ukrainian trashy websites that we monitor appear to be offering their services to all kinds of dubious characters in need of a reputation fix. Those include scandalous politicians and so-called experts who had worked for pro-Russian TV channels promoting Kremlin's narratives before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Читати українською

News reports claiming Ukraine’s strikes on Russian civilians were all over Russian media last week. The strikes on Belgorod were said to be Kyiv's desperate act of retaliation caused by its military defeats. The propagandists argued that Zelensky’s commanders deliberately target civilians contrary to Russia’s focus on military targets only.They also blamed Ukraine’s air defense for the deaths of civilians. Actually, it was only the beginning of a long list. For example, Ukraine was said to be ruining the lives of German farmers whose protests were linked with their country’s support of Ukraine.Read this article in Ukrainian

Putin's “Direct Line” forum played a key role in the dictator’s election campaign. Last week, Russian media produced a flurry of news reports on its results. The propagandists once again reminded their readers who is to blame for the war against Ukraine, predicted the egg prices to go down and addressed the timeless question “which is the ultimate New Year’s dish: Olivier salad or dressed herring?”.Read this article in Ukrainian

Last week, Russian media once again brought the main focus on the news from the Ukrainian front. Saying that Russia's victory is just around the corner, the propaganda claimed that the Ukrainian forces were retreating and spread fake news about captured towns and villages.Читати українською

Last week, there was a lot speculation on Russian media about who was behind the poisoning of the wife of the Chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence Kyrylo Budanov. Long story short, it could be anyone except Russia: the suspects included Zelensky, Zaluzhny and Western intelligence services.

In November, many Ukrainian trashy websites published mysterious forecasts and esoteric insights. They spread predictions by Wolf Messing, Baba Vanga as well as the modern breed of Ukrainian psychics and mentalists.

Last week's publications on Russian media hardly mentioned the war in Ukraine. Instead, the propagandists sang praises to Putin for brokering the release of a Russian hostage held by HAMAS.Read this article in Ukrainian

Last week, Russian media reported that Russian army had been able to break the Ukrainian defenses and enter Adviivka. According to the propagandists, the Kyiv regime is sending 16-years-olds and women with serious illnesses and health conditions into the trenches. They tried to turn Ukrainians against each other by claiming that it was only the frontline cities that were taking the toll of war while the life in Kyiv and other regions was full of excess and extravagance.

Last week, Russian media insisted on a bitter feud between the military and political leadership of Ukraine. The disinformers speculated that Zelensky would soon be killed or replaced by Valery Zaluzhny as Washington’s new protege. We found more than 1,000 such stories which propelled the topic to the week's Top 15 on Russian news.Read this article in Ukrainian

Period: 30 October-5 November 2023. Last week, Russian media showed considerably less interest in the military operations in Ukraine than usual which may be due to the lack of Russian victories in Ukraine or the kick-off of Putin's election campaign.