Insight News reported the information.
The Voice of Europe media platform, which emerged amidst the controversy surrounding Russian influence in Europe just before the European Parliament elections, is relatively new, with a minimal audience, and appears unremarkable at first glance. However, despite its modest reach, it has managed to attract European politicians to participate in its TV programs and has garnered attention from various media outlets.
Russian state propaganda media often reference articles from this EU-based website to validate the credibility of their reporting and the information they disseminate.
The Czech government has imposed sanctions against this Kremlin-linked website, while investigations are ongoing in Poland and Belgium regarding the activities of a pro-Russian influence network that included this media platform.
The Voice of Europe website itself has recently resumed operations, relocating its hosting to Kazakhstan.
“In the Voice of Europe case we have seen that Moscow attempts to use EU-registered news websites disguised as neutral or alternative to legitimize Russian propaganda narratives and increase the credibility of its statements, as almost no one in the world believes Russian state propaganda outlets like RT and Sputnik anymore,” the outlet states.
In Germany, several media outlets have been found to quote the Voice of Europe platform. Among them are EpochTimes and Telepolis. RT (Russia Today) propagates identical narratives.
The examples include:
Quote: “The BSW platform stands for new immigration restrictions, a revival of energy imports from Russia, and an end to the war in Ukraine through negotiations. Although Helsinki saw the largest job losses, some rural communities were disproportionately affected, sometimes losing a quarter of their local jobs.”
Link: https://www.epochtimes.de/politik/ausland/wochenrueckblick-streiks-in-finnland-10-000-jobs-bei-zf-friedrichshafen-in-gefahr-teil-2-a4565895.html
Quote: “How many Western mercenaries and special forces are fighting in Ukraine? According to Defense Ministry documents leaked in March 2023, there were at least 97 NATO special forces in Ukraine at the time: 50 British, 17 Latvian, 15 French, 14 US, and one Dutch. As Russia appears to be gaining the upper hand on the battlefield, perhaps irrevocably, the US and NATO face the long-feared dilemma: accept reality and encourage Ukraine to negotiate a diplomatic end to the war, or escalate and deploy NATO troops, as French President Emmanuel Macron recently suggested, to fight alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia. It would be irresponsible to take the second path without exploring the first.”
Link: https://www.telepolis.de/features/Wie-viele-westliche-Soeldner-und-Spezialkraefte-kaempfen-in-der-Ukraine-9661107.html
Extradienst is another example highlighting how the Voice of Europe website supports the thesis.
Quote: “Even the brave British, who like to boast of their pre-war support for Ukraine, including a joint “freedom of navigation operation” off Crimea in 2021, buried the idea of sending some kind of expeditionary force to Ukraine almost as quickly as it was born.”
Link: https://extradienst.net/2024/02/12/das-putin-interview-und-der-bundeskanzler/
Another German website, Peds Ansichten, quotes the Voice of Europe and asserts that the media unfairly depict Putin and Russian propaganda as inherently malevolent. However, they conveniently omit crucial facts such as Russia's invasion of a sovereign country, which triggered Europe's bloodiest war since World War II, and its widespread dissemination of disinformation and influence campaigns across Europe.
Quotes: “Over many years, emotional images are cemented in people’s minds and coupled with current events to create a desired mood. Moods that are intended to harm the political opponent. In this specific case, these are images of the “evil Russians,” “Kremlin boss Putin,” and “Russian propaganda.” Who is doing the most harm to Ukraine, i.e., the people of Ukraine, is a topic in itself.”
“The current Ukrainian government has its roots in a coup financed and managed by the United States of America. The 2014 coup buried Ukraine’s already-shaky democracy. In the same year, a jolt went through the “community of values.” Washington now implemented the strategic decisions it had already made: To expand the newly created bridgehead of Ukraine in order to exploit it to the hilt in the process.”
Link: https://peds-ansichten.de/2024/04/voice-of-europe-desinformation-meinungsfreiheit-zensur/
Quotes: “A group of EU parliamentarians have sharply criticized Western Ukraine’s policies in a media-streamed discussion and called for a quick end to the war. The clearest statement came from a Dutch politician, reports RT.de.”
“According to Southfront, “the first unit of the French Foreign Legion reportedly arrived in the area of the town of Slavyansk in the Donetsk People’s Republic.”
Link: https://dissident.one/frans-leger-ingezet-in-slavyansk-volksrepubliek-donetsk-rapport
Quote: “MEPs Marcel de Graaff and Joachim Kuhs have submitted an official request to the European community, drawing attention to the persecution of the UOC by the Ukrainian government, reports Voice of Europe. In his message on X, de Graaf argues, “Ukraine violates the rule of law and human rights.”
Link: https://dissident.one/europarlementarier-de-graaff-de-beste-weg-naar-vrede-is-oekrainers-tot-overgave-dwingen
Isight News also identified a multilingual international website advocating for peace and conflict resolution. However, it appears to have taken a stance regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, suggesting that Russian troops do not need to withdraw from the territories they've captured in Ukraine.
Quotes: “Putin’s draft treaty between Russia and Ukraine existed.” “Stop expanding the US military base empire in Scandinavia.”
Link: https://worldbeyondwar.org/de/Putins-Vertragsentwurf-zwischen-Russland-und-der-Ukraine-existierte/
The website LostInEU, citing VoE, aligns itself with Russian narratives alleging that Ukraine is unwilling to pursue peace. However, the reality remains that Russian invading troops persist in occupying captured Ukrainian territories and launching attacks on Ukrainian positions to seize further land. Pro-Russian media outlets manipulate statements made by Ukrainian ministers to advance this agenda.
Quote: “Kuleba: “We will resist the request for negotiations.”
https://lostineu.eu/kuleba-werden-ruf-nach-verhandlungen-bekaempfen
Freiewelt, known for propagating pro-Russian perspectives in Germany, frequently disseminates information from VoE.
Quote: “Ukrainians blame Zelensky for corruption. More than three-quarters of Ukrainians see President Volodymyr Zelensky as directly responsible for corruption in both the government and the military.”
Link: https://www.freiewelt.net/nachricht/ukrainer-geben-selenskyj-schuld-an-korruption-10093969/
Unser Mitteleuropa also cites VoE in its articles.
Headline: The diplomatic wisdom of Kissinger’s visit to China highlights the crossroads in China-US relations.
Link: https://unser-mitteleuropa.com/118420
Another pro-Russian platform, Le Réseau International, which essentially clones RT, has attempted to elevate the profile of a relatively unknown pro-Kremlin website in France. It achieved this by featuring publications on free blogs associated with right-wing radicals. Additionally, the website Les Moutons Enrages is identified as part of a network of pro-Kremlin websites.
These platforms disseminate Kremlin propaganda, including false information suggesting that the Ukrainian government is deploying pregnant women to the front lines. To propagate this misinformation, Russians produced a video alleging the capture of a pregnant Ukrainian female soldier in a trench.
Despite numerous indicators suggesting the falsity of this video, including evidence of editing by Moscow Film production, pro-Russian outlets fail to conduct fact-checking. Consequently, Le Réseau International and its clones persist in spreading this Russian disinformation.
Quote: “The Kiev regime sends women to the battlefields. Forced conscription of pregnant women. The head of the neo-Nazi junta, Volodymyr Zelensky, is obsessed with pleasing his NATO overlords, which means “military “victories” at any price.”
Links: http://linformationnationaliste.hautetfort.com/archive/2023/11/20/le-regime-de-kiev-envoie-les-femmes-sur-les-champs-de-batail-6471866.html
https://reseauinternational.net/le-regime-de-kiev-envoie-les-femmes-sur-les-champs-de-bataille-la-conscription-forcee-des-femmes-enceintes/
https://lesmoutonsenrages.fr/2023/11/21/le-regime-de-kiev-envoie-les-femmes-sur-les-champs-de-bataille-la-conscription-forcee-des-femmes-enceintes/
The Canadian websites Mondialisation (in French) and Global Research (in English) have also published this fabricated story.
Link: https://www.mondialisation.ca/le-regime-de-kiev-envoie-les-femmes-sur-les-champs-de-bataille-la-conscription-forcee-des-femmes-enceintes/5683349
Another French website, Freedom.fr, propagates Russian propaganda by promoting the notion that Ukraine must capitulate.
Quote: “MEP de Graaff: “The best way to achieve peace is to force the Ukrainians to capitulate.”
Link: https://freedomm.fr/blogs/60837/L-eurod%C3%A9put%C3%A9e-de-Graaff-La-meilleure-fa%C3% A7on-de-parvenir-%C3%A0
The Dreuz website shares an article echoing Russian perspectives, as voiced by the pro-Russian Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban. Additionally, it quotes the Voice of Europe, further aligning with pro-Kremlin narratives.
Quote: “Orban: The world is in a dangerous situation, as the world’s leading superpower feels it is slipping into second place.”
Link: https://www.dreuz.info/2023/07/orban-le-monde-se-trouve-dans-une-situation-dangereuse-alors-que-la-premiere-superpuissance-sent-quelle-glisse-vers-la-deuxieme-place-283832.html
The website Resistance Republicaine, citing Voice of Europe, concentrates on disseminating unfavorable coverage of Ukraine.
Quote: “Croatia: state faces €196 million claim for yacht “Royal Romance” illegally seized by Ukraine.”
Link: https://resistancerepublicaine.com/2024/03/17/intentions-et-agissements-delictueux-de-lukraine-contre-la-croatie/
Another identified website is Egalite et Reconciliation, managed by far-right conspiracy theorist Alain Soral, which also cites Voice of Europe in its content.
Link: https://www.egaliteetreconciliation.fr/Ventes-automobiles-en-Russie-reflux-europeen-et-forte-poussee-chinoise-73371.html
Additionally, Les Observateurs, a website with a Swiss.ch domain in French, is quoting Voice of Europe in its articles.
Link: https://lesobservateurs.ch/2023/07/26/rts-sound-of-freedom-cest-complotiste-qanon-dextreme-droite/
In Spain, pro-Kremlin influence campaigns are primarily directed at the Spanish audience through state media outlets like RT and News Front. The latter, a Russian website registered under the domain .su (Soviet Union) and available in multiple languages, is particularly active in disseminating pro-Russian narratives. Both RT and News Front have quoted the Voice of Europe website to bolster the argument that Ukraine should refrain from joining NATO, emphasizing the belief that Ukraine's accession to NATO could precipitate World War III.
https://es.news-front.su/2023/12/21/eslovaquia-vetara-la-adhesion-de-ucrania-a-la-otan-porque-seria-el-comienzo-de-la-tercera-guerra-mundial/
https://actualidad-rt.com/actualidad/493138-ministro-eslovaco-vetar-ucrania-otan-guerra
Quote: “Slovakia will veto Ukraine’s NATO membership because it would be the beginning of World War III.”
It's disappointing to see a website named "Buscando La Verdad" (Looking for Truth) not living up to its name by propagating Russian propaganda instead. Here are a few examples of the misleading headlines it has reposted:
Slovakia to veto Ukraine’s NATO membership because “it would be the beginning of World War III (RT
BlackRock prepares for a global solar storm collapse.
Are humans in control of world economic power?
The European Parliament approves a new green rule that criminalizes farmers and ranchers.
The world is preparing for an apocalyptic future.
A secret financial club has been operating in Europe for more than 70 years.
Link: https://buscandolaverdad.es/2023/12/28/eslovaquia-vetara-la-adhesion-de-ucrania-a-la-otan-porque-seria-el-comienzo-de-la-tercera-guerra-mundial/
Russian disinformation campaigns also extend to Hungary, where platforms like Magyar Nemzet have been observed distorting the meaning of statements made by Ukrainian officials. For instance, Magyar Nemzet published an article with the headline "Ukrainian Foreign Minister: We will do everything to silence the voices of peace!" Magyar Nemzet has supported the Voice of Europe by citing its article.
Quote: “We will do everything within the framework of international law and criminal law to silence these voices, said Dmitro Kuleba in an interview that was viewed by the Voice of Europe news portal. The Ukrainian foreign minister was referring to the growing positions and opinions in Europe, which emphasize the need for peace negotiations instead of the continuation of the war.”
Link: https://magyarnemzet.hu/kulfold/2023/08/ukran-kulugyminiszter-mindent-megteszunk-hogy-elhallgattassuk-a-beke-hangjait
Sweden has not been immune to Russian propaganda efforts. Russian narratives often depict the Ukrainian government as corrupt, aiming to undermine European support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
Quote: “Ukrainians blame Zelensky for corruption. More than three-quarters of Ukrainians see President Volodymyr Zelensky as directly responsible for corruption in both the government and the military.”
Link: https://www.friatider.se/ukrainarna-skyller-korruptionen-pa-zelenskyj
Italy has also been targeted by pro-Russian narratives and disinformation campaigns. Notably, Arianna Editrice, a platform in Italy, has been found citing the Voice of Europe website. Here are a few sentences from their articles:
Quote: “A defeated army and a destroyed army are two different things. An army simply defeated in battle can often successfully retreat, reform, and rebuild its strength, as Rome did after the humiliation of Cannae, eventually destroying its great rival, Carthage. But when whole armies break up and lose the will to fight, the whole nation can also break up. That is what happened to the great empires in World War I, and it is also the fate that awaits the Ukrainian army.”
“It is incredible how hard it is for the reality principle to make its way into the debate on Ukraine, tainted by the hybrid war of Atlanticist disinformation. In public, of course, because in private even the less stupid Atlanticists speak like the Pope: NATO and Kiev lost, Putin won, and, if there is no immediate negotiation, Russia can eat the rest of the country too.”
Link: https://www.ariannaeditrice.it/articoli/l-esercito-ucraino-sta-cedendo
The Voice of Europe, along with interviews featuring pro-Russian politicians from across the continent, has garnered extensive coverage in Republika Srpska, known for its pro-Russian views.
Quote: “The President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, said in an interview for the Voice of Europe that the EU has lost its European values and Christian foundations and has allowed America to interfere in its politics.”
Link: https://www.atvbl.rs/republika-srpska/dodik-eu-izgubila-evropske-vrijednosti-i-hriscanske-temelje-10-1-2024
The Polish website Salon24 has been observed quoting Voice of Europe and spreading Russian narratives suggesting that Moscow is combating Western forces in Ukraine.
Headline: How many Western mercenaries are fighting in Ukraine?
Link:
https://www.salon24.pl/u/bezmetki/1367595,ilu-najemnikow-z-zachodu-walczy-na-ukrainie
The dissemination of such narratives extends beyond Poland, targeting audiences in Estonia as well.
Headline: Nazi symbolism and child pornography found in German police chats | Voice of Europe
Link: https://lemm.ee/post/3538357
The Union of Orthodox Journalists, citing the Voice of Europe website, has been observed spreading Russian assertions regarding attacks on freedom of religion in Ukraine. However, it's important to note that those targeted by law enforcement were the priests of the Russian church acting as agents. It's noteworthy that pro-Russian MEPs provide support for these narratives.
Quote: “MEPs from the Netherlands and Germany said that the European Parliament demands an immediate response from Zelensky because of the “war on priests.”
Link: https://spzh.media/en/news/76791-meps-appeal-to-eu-over-persecution-of-uoc
Numerous English-language news websites targeting American and global audiences have reposted or quoted content from "Voice of Europe." These platforms primarily espouse ultra-conservative, far-right, and/or pro-Trump views, often delving into conspiracy theories.
For instance, headlines from News Target have featured quotes from Voice of Europe.
A German comedian calls for the “culling” of German and Austrian conservative politicians.
The top 5 ways the FDA and CDC engaged in the genocide of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic
Russia is investigating a Ukrainian firm linked to Hunter Biden for financing terrorist attacks.
A CIA officer confirms it has “advisors” in Ukraine—”a”well-known secret.”
Link: https://www.newstarget.com/2024-02-22-german-comedian-culling-german-austrian-conservative-politicians.html
Russian state propaganda media and pro-Russian media networks also disseminate unsupported fake reports alleging that the Ukrainian government is involved in the killing of foreign journalists.
Headline: “The Ukrainian regime kills foreign journalists to hide corruption.”
Link: https://weeklyblitz.net/2023/12/27/ukrainian-regime-kills-foreign-journalists-to-hide-corruption/
The fabricated evidence regarding foreign journalists allegedly killed by the "Kiev regime" was also propagated by the pro-Russian Canadian website Global Research. This media outlet has been identified as part of the pro-Russian website network.
Quote: “Is the Kiev Regime Now Killing Foreign Journalists to Hide Its Corruption? In August, Egyptian journalist Mohammed al-Alawi revealed the purchase of a villa worth nearly $5 million by Olga Kiyashko, the mother-in-law of President Zelensky.”
Link: https://www.globalresearch.ca/kiev-regime-now-killing-foreign-journalists-hide-corruption/5844278
Here are several headlines from Conservapedia, which also established reciprocal links to the Voice of Europe website.
A Ukrainian State Border Guard Service officer claims Kiev is destroying itself ‘from inside’.
China is able to balance ties with Russia, the US, and Europe.
China can deal with every challenge it faces.
The majority of Ukrainians believe Zelensky is continuing the wrong war.
Crimea’s complex history culminated in its return to Russia.
Link: https://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=NATO_war_in_Ukraine
Insight News established the direct affiliation of the Voice of Europe website and its associated network of news sites in Europe with Russian state propaganda media, providing examples of Russians quoting materials from VoE to demonstrate this connection. Several Russian media outlets, such as RT in various language versions, Gazeta, Tass, and Sputnik Globe, have published propaganda materials citing Voice of Europe.
These articles reinforce the Kremlin's key narratives, emphasizing the belief that Ukraine will inevitably fail and urging the West not to support Ukraine.
Quote: “Ukraine will lose.”
Link: https://de.rt.com/europa/183622-eu-abgeordneter-de-graaff-bester-zum-frieden-ist-ukrainer-zur-kapitulation-zu-zwingen/
Headline: Scott Ritter: Time for the US to Dump Zelensky
Link: https://sputnikglobe.com/20231112/scott-ritter-time-for-us-to-dump-zelensky-1114889912.html
The Voice of Europe portal has set up a system to conduct interviews with pro-Russian politicians in Europe, including members of the European Parliament such as Matthias Moosdorf and Marcel de Graaf. These individuals have made pro-Russian statements or narratives that align with Moscow's interests. Subsequently, these statements or narratives have been disseminated through Russian state propaganda media, presenting them as if they originated from a European outlet. Here are a few examples.
Quote: “The EU should treat other countries as equals and learn to work with them, and only then will it reach the BRICS level. The Voice of Europe portal quotes Dutch MEP Marcel de Graaf, who expressed this opinion. At the moment, the EU does not look in the mirror and does not see that it itself provoked the regime change in Ukraine, which actually jeopardized the security of Russia, as the portal quotes de Graaf.”
Link: https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/19495113
A quote: “Europe does not have its own opinion on the Ukrainian conflict but is forced to follow the rules set by the US. Bundestag deputy Matthias Moosdorf expressed this opinion, and the Voice of Europe portal published his words on December 15.”
Link: https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/19557461
Quote: “Matthias Moosdorf, a member of the Alba for Germany faction in the Bundestag, stated that Europe lacks a unique perspective on the Ukrainian conflict and must adhere to the rules established by the United States.”
Link: https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2023/12/16/21939193.shtml
Headline: “Leadership Utopia: Will France Become a Strong Player in the Indo-Pacific?”
Link:
https://russiancouncil.ru/blogs/snofmo/utopiya-o-liderstve-stanet-li-frantsiya-silnym-igrokom-v-indopatsifike/
Headline: “US politicians using government funds to ‘stimulate the economy’, an unprecedented deficit looms.”
Link: https://www.sott.net/article/483855-US-politicians-using-government-funds-to-stimulate-the-economy-unprecedented-deficit-looms-Bloomberg-analysis-reveals
Headline: “The Russian federal mass media have published the names of French mercenaries fighting in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”
Link: https://www.sott.net/article/488061-Russia-releases-names-of-French-mercenaries-in-Ukraine-includes-son-of-a-General-of-Frances-Armed-Forces
Here are several headlines from Natural News, a global news website that has also been observed citing the Voice of Europe.
The US is not a democracy, says Putin.
The US has become a global laughing stock by criticizing democratic processes in other countries while suppressing its own presidential candidate.
Bet on the CIA being the culprit in the Moscow mass murders, just like they were in the
Las Vegas concert massacre and as they will be in the upcoming Black Swan events.
Putin promises to destroy all those U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets piloted by Ukrainian soldiers.
Link: https://www.naturalnews.com/2024-02-22-german-comedian-culling-german-austrian-conservative-politicians.html
Headline: How many Westerners are fighting in Ukraine? There may be more foreign boots on the ground—troops and mercenaries—than you think.
Link: https://responsiblestatecraft.org/foreign-fighters-ukraine/
Headline: “Top US general caught on hot mic claiming USA likely bombed Nord Stream Pipeline”
Link: https://revolver.news/2023/08/top-us-general-caught-on-hot-mic-claiming-usa-likely-bombed-nord-stream-pipeline/
Headline: “Court Blocks Biden Administration From Illegally Censoring Americans Please support TGP in our continued attempts to preserve freedom in America.”
Link: https://theconservativedispatch.com/2023/07/08/huge-win-for-gateway-pundit-and-america-court-blocks-biden-administration-from-illegally-censoring-americans-please-support-tgp-in-our-continued-attempts-to-preserve-freedom-in-america/
Headline: “Ukraine: 2023 was a year of disappointment. Ever-present corruption, military failure, and flight from the country.”
Link: https://popularresistance.org/ukraine-2023-was-a-year-of-disappointment/
Headline: “Desperate France is set to deport ‘dangerous foreigners’.”
Link:
https://www.wnd.com/2023/11/desperate-france-set-violate-european-court-human-rights-deport-dangerous-foreigners/
The campaign manifests in various forms, depending on the level of bias and credibility of the articles from Voice of Europe and European news websites that quote it. The outlet categorizes these articles as follows:
Russian fabrications about Ukraine.
Russian disinformation and manipulation of facts.
Promotion of pro-Russian narratives.
Vilification of the EU and the US.
Propagation of global conspiracy theories.
“Obviously, they aim to influence public opinion in EU countries, especially shortly before the European Parliament elections. The topics and style of the articles indicate that their main goals are to demand to stop the West’s support for Ukraine ensuring that Russia retains the Ukrainian territories seized in the illegal war,” Insight News explains.
Simultaneously, pro-Russian media outlets reinforce Kremlin narratives by blaming the West for the war, portraying the Ukrainian government as corrupt, criticizing the EU government for neglecting its citizens' needs, asserting the decline of the United States, and depicting the Ukrainian army as on the brink of defeat.
To bolster these narratives, pro-Russian news websites conduct interviews with politicians loyal to Russia, who echo the Kremlin's agenda. Additionally, these websites provide positive coverage for right-wing radical and Eurosceptic politicians whom they hope to see in the next European Parliament. Russian state media then quotes these statements, pro-Russian bloggers spread them, and the Kremlin's army of bots amplifies them on a larger scale. This illustrates the workings of Russian propaganda, which aims to manipulate public opinion in Europe.
These actions underscore that Russia is actively engaging in information warfare against Europe through propaganda, disinformation, and its agents of influence. While investigations in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Belgium have revealed efforts by European governments to counter Russian influence in political processes, the widespread nature of pro-Russian information attacks and the proliferation of seemingly cloned websites necessitate further measures to combat them effectively.