In recent years, the political landscape of Europe has increasingly come under attack from foreign disinformation campaigns.
The 2024 European Parliament elections, held during deep security, migration, and institutional challenges, provided fertile ground for foreign influence attempts, particularly from Russia.
According to a recent study and multiple reports from the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), these actors have been capitalizing on societal rifts to influence voters and steer them toward supporting populist and far-right candidates.
These campaigns, orchestrated through state-controlled media and covert operations, have aimed to destabilize democratic processes and foster the rise of far-right and populist movements across the continent.
Accusations of Russian meddling in foreign elections are far from unprecedented, with notable instances going back to at least 2016, including both the EU and U.S. presidential elections.
In June, the EU accused Russia of election interference, citing tactics like deep fakes and fake websites imitating prominent European outlets. Moscow’s disinformation has evolved, focusing on tailored narratives to exploit societal divisions and influence voters.
Media as a tools to spread disinformation
Russian-affiliated media outlets, such as RT and Sputnik, and newer platforms like Voice of Europe, have been central players in this disinformation ecosystem.
Both RT and Sputnik have faced sanctions from several countries in response to their activities for disseminating disinformation. The EU sanctioned RT and Sputnik in March 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, for their support of Russia’s war and spread of Kremlin disinformation.
How RT and Sputnik continue their operations, produce Kremlin-style news content, and publish it on new domains (which are not banned), creating clones of their websites in different languages. For example, we have revealed several clones of the German edition of RT (de.rt.com).
In May 2024, one month before the European Parliament elections, the EU introduced sanctions against the Russian news websites Ria.ru, Rg.ru, and Iz.ru, which produce content in Russian and have significant Russian-speaking audience in the EU countries.
Voice of Europe and spread of pro-Kremlin views
One of the Kremlin’s most notable tactics has been its support of far-right and Eurosceptic candidates. Media outlets like Voice of Europe have been exposed as tools for promoting right-wing populists and pro-Russian politicians.
This Prague-based outlet, allegedly tied to Viktor Medvedchuk, a former Ukrainian oligarch and close Putin’s ally, has funneled significant resources into influencing European politics.
By disseminating content that appeals to nationalist and anti-EU sentiments, Voice of Europe has positioned itself as a vital platform for Kremlin-aligned narratives.
Czech investigations indicated that Voice of Europe may be part of a larger Russian strategy to destabilize European democracies and promote pro-Kremlin narratives.
Promotion of right-wing leaders
Notably, investigations have revealed that far-right and right-wing leaders such as Marine Le Pen, Matteo Salvini, and Viktor Orbán received disproportionate positive coverage from Voice of Europe. The EU sanctioned this pro-Kremlin media in May, which conducted interviews with a range of far-right European politicians, including MEPs.
An investigation by Politico Europe uncovered that 16 far-right MEPs had joined TV shows or interviews on the YouTube channel “Voice of Europe,” despite it having only 350 subscribers and 60,000 views at that time.
Its content, particularly critical of Ukraine, gained wider dissemination on social media. Between August 2023 and May 2024, Voice of Europe hosted several debates and interviews with various Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). The list includes:
- Germany: Maximilian Krah, Joachim Kuhs
- France: Patricia Chagnon, Thierry Mariani, Hervé Juvin
- Netherlands: Marcel de Graaff
- Italy: Matteo Gazzini, Francesca Donato
- Slovakia: Miroslav Radačovský, Milan Uhrík
- Estonia: Jaak Madison
- Spain: Hermann Tertsch, Jorge Buxadé
- Croatia: Ladislav Ilcic
- Denmark: Anders Vistisen
- Belgium: Tom Vandendriessche
Many of these MEPs claimed not to recall how they were invited or who conducted the interviews.
This media outlet portrayed these figures as defenders of “traditional European values” and opponents of a liberal, EU-centric agenda. In stark contrast, pro-EU politicians and those supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression were demonized.
Promotion of radical far-right and anti-EU politicians
Russian media outlets like RT and Sputnik have prominently featured far-right and anti-EU figures.
For instance, François Asselineau, a French pro-Russian activist and anti-globalization figure, condemned French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of damaging France’s reputation. Florian Philippot, a former Le Pen campaigner and right-wing leader, has shown strong Ukrainophobic tendencies and criticized Macron for alienating French citizens. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also gained attention from RT for his statements blaming the West for “escalating the Ukraine conflict instead of seeking peace”.
These media outlets, particularly Voice of Europe, Sputnik, and RT, consistently criticize pro-EU and liberal politicians while positioning the far-right as an alternative. Analysis shows these platforms frequently promote Eurosceptic narratives, suggesting that EU support for Ukraine is causing political instability across Europe.
French war reporter Laurent Brayard and Moscow-based analyst Xavier Moreau argue that Ukraine’s struggle will reflect a broader failure for Brussels and Washington, while law professor Karine Béchet-Golovko frames Ukraine as merely a tool of NATO, blaming Western intervention for the ongoing conflict.
Criticism of liberal, centrist and pro-Ukraine politicians
Russian media also target pro-Ukraine politicians, such as French Socialist Raphaël Glucksmann, portraying him as an “Atlanticist agent” for his support of Ukraine. The French political scene is depicted as divided over the issue, with Jordan Bardella of the National Rally criticized by Florian Philippot for his abstention on a Ukraine support vote, which is framed as further evidence of discontent with Macron’s policies.
French President Macron’s proposal to send European troops to Ukraine was likewise derided by pro-Russian media as a desperate measure from a “politically weakened president.”
This strategy not only undermines European solidarity but also serves to distract from Russia’s geopolitical ambitions, particularly its continued war aggression in Ukraine and its influence in regions like Syria and Africa.
In this context, it is important to recognize that Russian disinformation is not merely about electoral manipulation.
By leveraging existing social divisions, such as those related to migration and security, Russia’s propaganda media machine operates to normalize extremist views and destabilize political systems across the continent.
Cross-platform propaganda dissemination
Russian disinformation campaigns have not only infiltrated traditional media but have also taken root across digital platforms. Social media channels, particularly X accounts tied to pro-Russian narratives, played a crucial role in amplifying disinformation.
Through coordinated efforts, articles from platforms like Voice of Europe and clones of RT websites were shared widely, creating echo chambers that reinforced existing biases and sowed distrust in mainstream media.
These operations are sophisticated, relying on cross-posting and repetition across fringe platforms, which creates the illusion of consensus around misleading or outright false narratives.
This digital ecosystem allowed Kremlin-backed narratives to reach millions, particularly in countries like France and Germany, where far-right movements have gained traction.
Manipulation of social issues
Central to Russia’s disinformation campaign has been the manipulation of social issues, particularly migration. The migration crisis, a politically sensitive issue in Europe, was weaponized by Russian propaganda media outlets.
Through exaggeration, disinformation, and alarmist narratives, these platforms fueled anti-immigrant sentiment, portraying refugees as an existential threat to European culture and security.
Anti-immigration disinformation
- False stories portraying migrants as privileged in Europe.
- Manipulations portraying migrants as violent and criminal.
- Exaggerating consequences of Migration and Asylum Pact.
- Disseminating false numbers about the migrants that EU member states will have to accept
- Fake statistics: the number of homicides in France multiplied by 4 in 15 years.
- Fake: A flood of migrants assaulting people on the streets of Sofia.
- Conspiracy theories suggesting that the elites are carrying out a replacement of the European population.
This focus on migration played into the hands of far-right parties, which have long positioned themselves as protectors of European identity. By stoking fears and deepening divisions, Russian media sought to create an environment where far-right candidates could thrive.
For example, platforms like Voice of Europe promoted the idea that European governments were deliberately mismanaging the migrant crisis, fostering conspiracy theories about the “replacement” of native populations by immigrants from Africa and Asia.
Anti-Ukrainian and Anti-EU narratives
Simultaneously, pro-Kremlin outlets have been relentless in their attacks on Ukraine and its leadership. These platforms spread false narratives aimed at undermining Western support for Ukraine.
Disinformation targeting Ukraine
Common disinformation themes include claims that Ukraine’s defeat is inevitable, that Western weapons are ineffective, and that NATO provoked Russia into the war. By amplifying such narratives, these outlets sought to weaken public support for sanctions against Russia and diminish enthusiasm for continued aid to Ukraine.
- Manipulation: “Russia is winning, and Ukraine is losing.”
- Fake News: Claims that NATO troops are in Ukraine and that many French soldiers have been killed.
- False Narrative: Western weapons are ineffective in Ukraine.
- Fake Blame: The West provoked Russia into starting the war.
- False Allegation: The West seeks to exploit Russia’s natural resources.
- Misinformation: The wife of a shooter targeting Slovak politician Robert Fico is a Ukrainian refugee.
- Propaganda: A video titled “To the Last Ukrainian” promoting military conscription.
- Cartoons: Depicting President Zelensky as a puppet of the West waging war.
- False Claim: Zelensky’s presidency became illegitimate after May 21.
- Fake Accusation: Ukraine is involved in child trafficking, with the First Lady at the center.
- False Report: Zelensky ordered the murder of a foreign journalist.
Pro-Kremlin networks have been instrumental in pushing narratives favorable to Moscow. Key themes include:
- Inevitability of Ukraine’s Defeat: A frequent claim is that Ukraine’s defeat is certain, often echoed by far-right politicians in interviews and TV appearances. For example, MEP Marcel de Graaff argued that “the best way to achieve peace is to force Ukraine to capitulate.”
- Pointlessness of Sanctions on Russia: Pro-Kremlin outlets argue that sanctions on Russia are ineffective, presenting pseudo-analyses that suggest sanctions fail to achieve their goals, thus weakening Western resolve to maintain pressure on Moscow.
- Calls for Negotiation with Russia: These media sources often advocate for peace talks with Russia, framing it as a pragmatic solution, while conveniently ignoring Russia’s invasion and war crimes. The narrative also includes false claims that Ukraine halted negotiations after pressure from Western leaders, portraying continued Western support as a barrier to peace.
Through these narratives, pro-Russian outlets aim to erode public support for Ukraine and shift the discourse toward favoring Moscow’s interests. Sources such as Voice of Europe, Sputnik, and RT have consistently pushed these messages, attempting to reshape public opinion across Europe.
Moreover, anti-EU rhetoric has become a cornerstone of Russian disinformation efforts. Russian disinformation frequently depicted European institutions as corrupt, undemocratic, and economically exploitative.
Disinformation campaigns alleged that the EU imposed unfair conditions on its member states, citing false statistics and sensational claims to sway public opinion against the bloc.
A striking example was the spread of fake stories about skyrocketing prices following Croatia’s adoption of the euro, which played into broader Eurosceptic sentiments.
Vulnerability of the European democratic system
The 2024 European Parliament elections have once again highlighted the vulnerability of democratic systems to foreign interference.
Russia’s ongoing disinformation campaigns represent a direct threat to the stability and unity of Europe. Greater media literacy, robust counter-disinformation strategies, and closer scrutiny of far-right media channels are essential steps in defending European democracy from the malign influence of the Kremlin.
This analysis shows that Russia seeks to shape public opinion, undermine trust in democratic institutions and advance its geopolitical objectives. Only by recognizing and countering these efforts can Europe safeguard its democratic values and institutions for years to come.
This research has been conducted by our experts in collaboration with the Ukrainian TV news channel Espreso.
