Espreso. Global

Russian network of regional propaganda news outlets in Ukraine

Alona Myshakova
9 August, 2024 Friday
13:00

In a study on the spread of Russian disinformation in EU media, Espreso TV, in collaboration with InsightNews, identified a network of regional manipulative news websites created by Russia to target Ukrainian audiences

client/title.list_title

These propaganda channels promote narratives similar to those of Russian state media. However, "regional Ukrainian news outlets" designed by Russia mainly seek to cultivate opposition to mobilization efforts in Ukraine, thereby undermining the army’s recruitment campaigns.

Content analysis and server data show that these websites are part of a coordinated Russian effort aimed at creating chaos in Ukraine, eroding trust in the Ukrainian government, and undermining and dividing the Western coalition supporting Ukraine.

The listed websites share nearly identical web design and display Russian war symbols. They are all hosted on .ru domains, registered in Moscow, and served from the same Russian IP address. This indicates that these "regional Ukrainian news outlets" are actually operating from the same Russian server.

  • dnepr-news.ru
  • news-kherson.ru
  • news-kharkov.ru
  • if-news.ru
  • news-kiev.ru
  • nikolaev-news.ru
  • rovno-news.ru
  • news-odessa.ru
  • uzhgorod-news.ru
  • ternopol-news.ru
  • lvov-news.ru
  • poltava-news.ru
  • krivoy-rog-news.ru
  • kramatorsk-news.ru
  • zhitomir-news.ru
  • pavlograd-news.ru
  • berdyansk-news.ru
  • zp-news.ru
  • lnr-news.ru
  • dnr-news.ru
  • volyn-news.ru
  • gorlovka-news.ru
  • nikopol-news.ru
  • donetsk-news.ru
  • sumy-news.ru
  • vin-news.ru

This Russian disinformation network in Ukraine mirrors the Pravda website network launched by the Kremlin in Europe, targeting EU audiences. The list includes pravda-en.com, pravda-fr.com, pravda-de.com, pravda-es.com, and similar sites. These sites clone content across different languages and countries.

The Pravda websites predominantly feature propaganda and false information. Examples include claims that Olena Zelenska mocked the suffering of Ukrainian families, labeling German politicians supporting Ukraine as Nazis, and portraing Western leaders as backing a global dictatorship seeking a third world war against Russia, etc.

Anti-Ukrainian cartoons about President Zelenskyy

Starting in 2023, Russian propaganda began to circulate a series of cartoons, falsely claiming they were produced in France with the intention of discrediting the Ukrainian government. By July 2024, the "Ukraine Inc" cartoon series had reached 13 episodes. These cartoons, which spread negative propaganda about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are mainly distributed through pro-Russian Telegram channels. 

Recently, the above-mentioned "regional Ukrainian news outlets" have also started distributing new episodes of "Ukraine Inc."

Fact-checkers have long proven that no French animation studio created these cartoons. They are actually produced by Russia, which is attempting to win the information war by any means necessary. The goal is to undermine trust in key figures within Ukraine's military and political leadership and to foster the belief among Ukrainians that the elites are primarily concerned with their own interests.

The "Ukraine Inc." cartoon series focuses on discrediting Volodymyr Zelenskyy and features the typical absurd fictions of Russian propaganda.

In particular:

  • Volodymyr Zelenskyy categorically rejects any peace initiatives 
  • Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Olena Zelenska use war for personal enrichment 
  • Zelenskyy is planning to surrender Ukrainian territories
  • Zelenskyy is a puppet of the West and does not personally rule the country 
  • Zelenskyy is a drug/alcohol addict
  • Zelenskyy is a Nazi. 
  • European farmers are suffering because Zelenskyy's goods from Ukraine are flooding European markets. 
  • Zelenskyy uses ordinary Ukrainians as cannon fodder at the front. 

The animated series "Ukraine Inc" mirrors the exact propaganda broadcast by Russian state channels and is part of a broader campaign to discredit Ukraine's military and political leadership. Russia employs this propaganda for several reasons:

  1. Undermining morale: By portraying Ukraine's leaders as incompetent or corrupt, Russia aims to lower the morale of both the Ukrainian military and civilians. This can diminish public support for the government and weaken patriotism.
  2. Stirring internal conflicts: Propaganda is used to exaggerate tensions within Ukrainian society, potentially creating political instability.
  3. Discrediting Ukraine internationally: Russia seeks to influence global opinions by depicting Ukrainian leaders negatively. This can lead to decreased international support for Ukraine and potentially lessen sanctions against Russia.
  4. Controlling the information space: By manipulating information, Russia aims to justify its actions and aggression internationally. Presenting Ukrainian leaders as ineffective helps legitimize Russian actions and reduce global pressure on Russia. 
  5. Influencing mobilization: If both the population and military question their leaders' effectiveness, it could hinder efforts to mobilize resources and support for the state.

The establishment of these "regional Ukrainian media outlets" and their efforts to discredit the Ukrainian president further demonstrates that Russia's ambitions go beyond Donbas or Kyiv and are aimed at conquering the entire country.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Thursday
13 February
13:56
Zelenskyy imposes sanctions against Ukraine’s former President Poroshenko
13:38
Exclusive
"Unprecedented case in nuclear energy history": Expert on Ukraine buying reactors from Bulgaria
13:15
Poland warns Ukraine not to expect NATO invitation to “fall from the sky”
12:54
Trump's ex-advisor: Kremlin drinks vodka straight from bottle after Trump-Putin talk
12:35
Around 7,000 civilians remain in Ukraine’s Pokrovsk as evacuation continues
12:15
Review
Return to pre-war borders is unrealistic: New Pentagon chief's statements at Ramstein and Ukraine's stance. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:52
Russian forces block water and humanitarian aid deliveries to civilians in frontline areas
11:35
"Putin would say he won": Trump says he'll keep supporting Ukraine
11:16
Russian civilians evacuated to Ukraine after Russia’s deadly strike on shelter
10:54
116 clashes occur at front on Feb. 12: Russia launches over 5,000 strikes on Ukraine
10:33
European countries and Ukraine demand a say in any peace talks
10:15
Exclusive
Russian troops attempt to fully sever Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka highway
09:56
U.S. envoy Kellogg to visit Ukraine for “tough diplomacy” — U.S. State Department
09:36
Russia loses 1,250 soldiers, 17 tanks, 58 artillery systems in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Wednesday
12 February
22:00
Russia launches record number of strikes on Donetsk region since war started
21:45
Exclusive
Russian army does not hesitate to drop bombs on its citizens: Ukrainian military on Kursk sector
21:33
Exclusive
How Ukraine shoots down ballistic missiles may remain classified
21:21
F-16 with JASSM-ER, illustrative photo
First F-16 photo during combat mission in Ukraine emerges online — what does it reveal?
21:10
Ukrainian priest in Pennsylvania: Trump himself will decide to stand by Ukraine
21:00
Zelenskyy and Trump hold talks
20:50
Russia blocks IAEA experts' rotation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – Ukraine's MFA
20:40
Zelenskyy: Work on Trump’s plan to end Ukraine war likely to start in February
20:26
Ukraine wins 16 medals at 2025 Invictus Games
20:11
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
Russia is forced to retreat in some areas of Pokrovsk sector
19:51
UK pledges £150 million in military aid to Ukraine
19:36
“I prayed for Trump's protection at rally before assassination attempt” — Jason Sharron, Ukrainian priest in Pennsylvania
19:25
NATO membership for Ukraine is unrealistic, says U.S. Defense Secretary Hagseth
19:10
Exclusive
Russia training surviving North Korean soldiers to reinforce troops in Kursk region
18:49
NATO must ensure negotiation results that Putin can’t overturn in six months or year – Rutte
18:11
600,000 Ukrainian children trapped in occupied territories: over 40,000 still enrolled in Ukrainian schools
18:00
Interview
Ukrainian Catholic Church priest in Pennsylvania on beauty of Ukrainian traditions and why Trump can be helpful for Ukraine
17:50
Supporting Ukraine is top foreign policy priority — Sweden’s top diplomat
17:32
'Putin will lose if he attacks NATO': Rutte on Russian threat in Europe
17:15
Exclusive
"Much hinges on Kellogg's meeting with Zelenskyy's team" regarding Trump's peace plan — Ukrainian MP
16:51
NATO Secretary General Rutte announces new military aid for Ukraine
16:37
White House power struggle: Trump ally Witkoff’s Moscow move sparks clash over Ukraine policy
16:15
China assists Russian drone production with smuggled Western parts — Estonian intel
15:53
Zelenskyy says assassination attempts on him led to deaths in President's Office
15:42
Exclusive
European allies to announce new military aid after Ramstein meeting — Espreso correspondent
15:30
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
February 5-12 live war map: Ukrainian counterattacks yield results 
More news