Pro-Kremlin Spanish-language outlets, which have become a tool in Russia’s broader propaganda and disinformation efforts worldwide, have been revealed in an analysis by Espreso with our contribution in research and web analytics. The analysis also identifies the main narratives that aim to denigrate Ukraine and the West.
Spanish-language outlets that disseminate pro-Russian and anti-Western narratives were identified based on content similarity, same topics, mutual citations, and quotations or reposts of Russian state propaganda sources, referral traffic from Russian websites.
Spanish-language media disseminating pro-Russian and anti-Western narratives
In Spain and Latin America, in contrast to the media landscape in other EU countries previously assessed, pro-Russian news websites often support far-left and communist ideas, unlike in Germany and in France, where they show sympathy to the far-right. The reason for this might be historical links between Moscow and local communist movements since the times of the former Soviet Union.
Russia also receives support from Spanish-language outlets in Latin American nations such as Cuba and Venezuela, which have authoritarian leftist governments, friendly to Russia.
The interactive infographic includes websites that have these things in common: constant criticism of the West, the US, the EU, and NATO; positive coverage of Russia; and the spread of Kremlin narratives when it comes to Ukraine and Russia’s war against Ukraine. The links show frequent citations between the websites.
The identified Spanish-language online news outlets have different levels of bias. We can divide these websites into three main categories:
News websites that directly repost Russian state media, such as RT, Sputnik, and others that have been sanctioned for spreading disinformation and supporting Russia’s war;
The media consistently generates reports that are biased and unbalanced, heavily referencing Russian sources and presenting data that strongly supports Kremlin interests while disregarding opposing views or more credible viewpoints.
Outlets that produce influence articles, which appear as analytical content on geopolitics but subtly promote pro-Russian narratives under the guise of analysis, continuously promote an anti-Western stance and fail to condemn Russia without overtly resembling propaganda.
Pro-Russian network of news websites in Spanish
Russian state media in Spanish
- actualidad-rt.com
- actualidad.rt.com
- esrt.online
- esrt.site
The Spanish edition of RT (Russia Today), the Russian state-owned media outlet, and its cloned websites, which are promoting Kremlin narratives and fake news, demonising the West and the US, disseminating fakes about Russia’s war in Ukraine, and justifying the Russian troops’ attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine. RT is currently under EU sanctions for spreading disinformation and supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine.
- noticiaslatam.lat
A cloned Sputnik website (Spanish edition of sputnikglobe.com). Carefully disguised under the brand of ‘News from Latin America,’ but having the same look and feel that Sputnik has. Sputnik is a Russian state-owned international propaganda website, which was banned in the EU for spreading disinformation after Russia started a full-scale war. Still, it remains accessible in Europe. Sputnik spreads Russian disinformation, anti-Western and anti-European narratives, demonises the West, praises Putin, and justifies Russia’s war in Ukraine. Its Spanish edition targets audiences in Spain and Latin America.
- news-front.su
Russian propaganda news website based in Crimea. It broadcasts Kremlin-style reports and disinformation in at least ten different languages. The Spanish edition is served at es.news-front.su. In 2021, the US Treasury described it as a “disinformation and propaganda outlet that justifies and supports Russian aggression in Ukraine.”
- pravda-es.com (closed and redirected to the one below)
- spanish.news-pravda.com (latest available version where Russian Pravda in Spanish is served)
This Spanish-language Russian news website is a component of the Russian Pravda disinformation network, which primarily targets Europe. The website disseminates Russian disinformation, asserts that Western countries aiding Ukraine are involved in Russia’s war, and engages in nuclear blackmail. It reposts Russian state and pro-Russian media, including Sputnik and RT. It publishes articles by pro-Russian propagandists abroad.
Argentina
- kontrainfo.com
This biased website presents itself as a centre for geopolitical studies, but its articles are limited to promoting Russian interests and sharing the Kremlin’s perspective. It has migrated to noticiasholisticas.com.ar, a Spanish-language, Argentina-based outlet with pro-Kremlin narratives and manipulations, demonising the EU, the US, and Ukraine. Covers the Russia-Ukraine war from the Kremlin perspective.
Chile
- pienasachile.com
A Chile-based Spanish-language news website that often quotes Russian foreign intelligence, Russian state propaganda media, and reposts their content, including pro-Kremlin narratives and manipulations, demonising the EU, the US, and Ukraine, and promoting Moscow’s views. Posted a fake about a partition of Ukraine planned by the West and Ukraine’s near defeat. It accuses the West of terror but fails to condemn Russia’s war and invasion.
Cuba
- 5septiembre.cu
A Spanish-language news website from Cuba that often quotes Russian state propaganda media and reposts their content, including pro-Kremlin narratives and manipulations, demonising the EU, the US, and Ukraine, and promoting Moscow’s views.
Colombia
- lapluma.net
The Spanish-language media outlet, which sometimes publishes opinion pieces with anti-Western and pro-Kremlin views, including those by pro-Russian author Rafael Poch, often uses graphics and cartoons that positively portray Russia and demonise the West and the US. It refers to RT and other Russian propagandists in its articles. It shifts the blame for the war to NATO and the West, fails to condemn the Russian invasion, and has been regularly publishing predictions of Ukraine’s inevitable defeat for three years.
- desdeabajo.info
The Spanish-language news website, based in Colombia, focuses on global news and frequently republishes content from Russian state propaganda. This content includes pro-Kremlin narratives and manipulations, which demonise the EU and the US, support Moscow’s viewpoints, and assert the imminent defeat of Ukraine.
Ecuador
- confirmado.net
Ecuador-based, this Spanish-language news website serves as a press-release platform for the Russian government. It reposts Russian state propaganda media, Sputnik and RT, and statements by Russian intelligence and Russian officials. It covers world events and the Russia-Ukraine war from the Kremlin’s perspective. It spreads Russian disinformation, demonising the EU, the US, NATO, and Ukraine, and promoting Moscow’s narratives.
Italy
- pressenza.com
International media in 8 languages, including Spanish. It spreads Russian propaganda narratives, calling Russia’s war against Ukraine a “conflict” or a “war between NATO and Russia.” It disseminates Russian fakes about Nazis in Ukraine and the genocide of the Donbas people. It harshly criticises Ukraine and its leadership, demonises the US and the West, and justifies the Russian invasion. It frequently cites Russian state media (RT) and pro-Russian websites.
Puerto Rico
- lacasaeditora.org
The website originates from Puerto Rico and is affiliated with communists, advocating for a socialist revolution against “the foreign fiscal control regime.” It spreads Russian propaganda storylines regarding Ukraine, it demonises the US, the West, and NATO, and it reposts articles from pro-Russian propagandist Andrew Korybko.
Spain
- africando.org
A Spanish-language news website (owned by NGO AFRICANDO from Cameroon registered in the Registry of Associations of the Government of the Canary Islands) targeting audiences in African countries that disseminates pro-Kremlin narratives and manipulations, demonising the EU, the US, and Ukraine, claiming that NATO threatens Russia, and promoting Moscow’s views.
- buscandolaverdad.es
A Spanish-language outlet named “Searching for truth”, apparently does not find it, as it often shares pro-Russian disinformation pieces. The website often quotes Russian state propaganda media and reposts their content, including pro-Kremlin narratives and manipulations, demonising the EU, the US, and Ukraine, and promoting Moscow’s views.
- contrainformacion.es
The same individual who oversees another biased, pro-Russian outlet, Nueva Revolución, also manages Contrainformación, a far-left, pro-Russian publication in Spain. It covers Ukraine from a communist and pro-Moscow perspective. Putin uses the spread of Russian misinformation about Nazis in Ukraine to justify the war. It is constantly anti-Western and blames NATO for the war, not Russia. However, during the war it became less anti-Ukrainian.
- context.es
A leftist Spanish website primarily focuses on domestic issues, but when it comes to Ukraine, it endorses Russia’s assertion of “the right to its sphere of influence,” backs the accusation that NATO is responsible for “a proxy war against Russia” in Ukraine, cites Russian state propaganda, and presents Moscow’s interpretation of events, including the “NATO factory” in Dnipro. The outlet publishes pro-Russian articles by Rafael Poch. 20 years of working as a correspondent in Moscow left their mark on his views.
- diario-octubre.com
A Spanish-language website with communist, anti-US, and pro-Russian views. Demonises the West, NATO, and the EU. Glorifies Soviet dictator Stalin. The outlet frequently quotes Russian state propaganda media, in particular RT and Sputnik. The website is interlinked with insurgente.org. It repeats Moscow’s fakes about the neo-Nazis in Ukraine and blames NATO and the West for the war started by Putin.
- dossiergeopolitico.com
A Spanish-language website of a “centre of analytical, geopolitical, and strategic research and publications.” It often quotes Russian state propaganda media and reposts their content, including pro-Kremlin narratives and manipulations, demonising the EU, the US, and Ukraine, and promoting Moscow’s views.
- geoestrategia.es
Geoestrategia.es presents itself as a portal for the self-proclaimed Spanish Institute of Geopolitics. It is run by former Spanish military Juan Antonio Aguilar, who also publishes with Sputnik and RT and travels to Moscow. It has recently migrated to a new domain: Geoestrategia.eu. It refers to Russia’s war against Ukraine as a NATO proxy war, blaming Europe for the conflict while failing to condemn Moscow. It spreads Russian fakes about Nazis in Ukraine and conspiracy theories. It praises Russia and its Oreshnik missile.
- insurgente.org
A Spanish-language website with unclear location (contact info reference: San Francisco, US, and Bali, Indonesia) that demonises the West, NATO, and the EU. Claims that Russia is invincible. This website reports articles from Russian sources and from diario-octubre.com, another biased pro-Kremlin outlet.
- lacasademitia.es
This Spanish-language news website backs Russia and China while criticising and demonising the West and Turkey. Promotes a new multipolar world order. It covers the war between Russia and Ukraine from the viewpoint of the Kremlin. The outlet repeats the Kremlin’s fakes about evil NATO & Atlanticism and justifies Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
- mentealternativa.com
This so-called alternative media reposts the disinformation posted by Russian intelligence. “The West’s new strategy for Ukraine under Trump: NATO bets on freezing the conflict with a ‘peace mission’ for occupation.” It spreads the pro-Kremlin narrative that an evil NATO threatens Russia, bringing the world closer to nuclear war, and Russia is simply forced to respond to the Armageddon desired by the Biden administration. The outlet also repeats the Kremlin’s fakes about Nazis in Ukraine.
- nuevarevolucion.es
An “independent” media outlet named “New Revolution,” pro-BRICS and anti-Western, is sharing a fake about the West’s plan to occupy Ukraine, a claim Ukraine will be defeated, NATO-EU war scenarios against Russia, and Kremlin-style propaganda claim that Europe shoots itself in the foot with sanctions against Russia.
- nuevatribuna.es
“New Tribune,” a Spanish media outlet, covers domestic political and social issues in Spain and occasionally discusses the Russia-Ukraine war, incorporating some Russian narratives. These narratives include attributing blame to the West and the Russian fabrication of a ‘coup d’état’ in Kyiv. This media also quoted RT and Sputnik, sanctioned by the EU for spreading disinformation. It shifts the blame for the war to the West and quotes storylines used by the Kremlin as a justification for its war and invasion of Ukraine.
- rebellion.org
A Spanish-language website with communist, anti-US, and pro-Russian narratives. The outlet demonises the West, NATO, and the EU. The website repeats Moscow’s fakes about neo-Nazis in Ukraine and demilitarisation as a target of the “special military operation” announced by dictator Putin. It also blames NATO and the West for the war started by Putin, spreads disinformation against the Ukrainian government, and accuses the EU of slowing down peace in Ukraine while not condemning the Russian invasion.
- tercerainformacion.es
A Spanish hard-left-biased news website that spreads Russian propaganda narratives, criticises Ukraine and its leadership, and demonises the West and NATO. The outlet praises Russia, North Korea, Venezuela, and Cuba. It often posts declarations of Russian officials—Lavrov, Peskov, and others—without any critical analysis or balance from Ukraine’s statements. It spreads the Kremlin’s fakes about US bio labs in Ukraine, the ‘Kiev regime,’ and that Ukraine has a dirty bomb. It claims that a Ukrainian village, captured by Russian invaders, does not belong to Ukraine, but it belongs to the so-called DPR.
Canada
- globalizacion.ca
The Spanish-language Globalizacion outlet, based in Canada but targeting Latin America, disseminates Kremlin propaganda about Nazis and Zelenskyy’s dictatorship in Ukraine. The outlet refers to Zelenskyy as a dictator and characterises the suppression of Russian agents for treason as a dictatorship under the control of “the imperialists” in the West. It also posts conspiracy theories and writes about the confrontation between NATO and Russia, which is actually Putin’s war against Ukraine. It accuses the West of prolonging the war. The media demonises the US, NATO, and the West while ensuring a positive attitude toward Russia.
Venezuela
- aporia.org
This news website, based in Venezuela, praises the Russian military and supports the Russian fake news about the Nazi regime in Ukraine. The website quotes Russian state propaganda media and reposts their content, which includes pro-Kremlin narratives and manipulations, with the aim of demonising the West and Ukraine and promoting Moscow’s views.
- avn.info.ve
Avn Info, a Venezuelan website, disseminates Russian fake news, used by the Putin regime to justify the war: the Zelensky regime’s genocide against the people of Donbas. It claims that “Russia has launched a special military operation in Ukraine to protect the population from genocide by the regime headed by Zelensky and to stop the advance of NATO towards the east of the region because it represents a national security risk.”
- misionverdad.com
“Mission Truth,” a Spanish-language news website based in Venezuela, supports Russia and BRICS while demonising the West and the US. It covers the Russia-Ukraine war from a Kremlin perspective. It writes about ‘Ukraine’s violation of international agreements,’ but fails to mention that Russia has violated international law, invading Ukraine. It writes about “aggression against Russia,” “provocations against Russia,” but fails to condemn Putin’s war and Russian invasion. It spreads the narrative that Ukraine is facing an inevitable military defeat in the war.
- redradiove.com
Red Radio Ve, a Venezuelan radio station, reposts Russian state propaganda media, quotes declarations from Russian officials that contain blatant fake accusations against Ukraine, and supports the Kremlin’s propaganda narratives. It posted Russia’s RT propaganda stories with Maria Zakharova’s and Sergey Lavrov’s statements without any balance from Ukraine and condemning Russia’s crimes and mentioning Ukraine’s position.
Key narratives in pro-Russian Spanish-language media
The study identified several key narratives being promoted within the Spanish-language pro-Russian media network, including:
- Denigration of Ukraine while amplifying the Russian fake about “neo-Nazis”.
- Demonization of the West, portraying the EU, the U.S. and NATO as imperialist forces.
- Shifting the blame for Russia’s war against Ukraine to the EU and the US.
- Claiming Russia’s imminent victory and the defeat of Ukraine and the West.
- Glorifying Russia as a protector and savior from harmful influences.
Portraying Ukraine as a “Nazi” genocidal and dictatorial regime and shifting blame for Russia’s war
Anti-Ukraine propaganda often uses inflammatory language and unfounded accusations to portray Ukraine as a neo-fascist and genocidal regime.
Prominent narratives include the demonization of Ukraine, where sources like aporrea.org label the Ukrainian government as a “neo-Nazi Kyiv regime.” The Venezuela-based news website praises the Russian military and supports the Russian fake news about the Nazi regime in Ukraine.
“November 21, 2024 will go down in Russian military history as the date of the first real combat deployment of the legendary and feared Strategic Missile Forces of the Russian Federation (SMRF). For Ukraine, the warning is even more profound: Moscow made it clear that no one would “help” the neo-Nazi regime. It might be interesting for the decision-makers in kyiv to remember the slogan of the Strategic Missile Forces: “After Us, Silence.”
- https://www.aporrea.org/internacionales/a336792.html
The website unidadylucha.es is operated by the Communist Party, which has been amplifying Kremlin narratives since its historical ties with the Soviet Union. Articles on the site echo Russian disinformation about a Nazi regime in Ukraine, defend Russia’s military aggression, and redirect blame to the West and NATO.
“NATO is pushing towards the abyss of nuclear war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Nazi regime in Kiev and its imperialist NATO patrons, when they make statements lately, are full of such concepts as “end of war”, “peace and justice”, “freedom and independence” or “security guarantees”. Russia has been forced to reassess its nuclear defense strategy. As if that were not enough, NATO has been further increasing the threat by supplying the Ukrainian regime with long-range missiles manufactured by the US, UK, France and Italy. The imperialist war supply to Ukraine does not stop.”
- https://unidadylucha.es/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6271:la-otan-empuja-hacia-el-abismo-de-la-guerra-nuclear-en-ucrania&catid=37&Itemid=117
“Pedro Sánchez and Bourbon receive the fascist delegate of imperialism in Ukraine. Pedro Sánchez and Bourbon receive the fascist delegate of imperialism in Ukraine. However, the denunciation of the support of the PSOE/SUMAR Government and the whitewashing of Ukrainian Nazi-fascism, as well as the other assertions, remain valid.”
“NATO-man Zelensky and his NATO war against Russia on Ukrainian soil does not seem to be going well. The front is crumbling and his fundraising tour of the peninsula has been postponed.”
- https://unidadylucha.es/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6045:pedro-sanchez-y-el-borbon-reciben-al-delegado-fascista-del-imperialismo-en-ucrania&catid=36&Itemid=102
The Spanish outlet Nueva Tribuna primarily covers domestic political and social issues in Spain but occasionally addresses the Russia-Ukraine war. Its coverage often incorporates Russian narratives, including blaming the West for the conflict and perpetuating the false claim of a “coup d’état” in Kyiv. Additionally, the outlet has cited RT and Sputnik, both sanctioned by the EU for disseminating disinformation.
The article “Ukraine, the Waste of Lives and European Funds” in Nueva Tribuna exemplifies the embedding of Kremlin narratives by shifting the blame for Russia’s war in Ukraine onto Western leaders. The article asserts, “They have failed in their imperial plans, along with their leaders in the US and the European Union, and now we are in a global war with multiple fronts, which we the people pay for at the cost of our welfare, our salaries, and our taxes.”
The piece perpetuates another Kremlin storyline to justify the invasion (strongly resembling the approach used by Hitler to start the war): “The Ukrainian war began in 2014 as a result of a parafascist coup d’état and a deception, the Minsk agreements, which the Europeans and Americans never intended to fulfill. That was the moment for Russia to intervene when the Russophone regions of Ukraine revolted.”
The article asserts that “international law has perished in Washington.” The article also fabricates claims about Spanish involvement, stating, “The best thing we should and can do is to fight the war, demand a peace treaty in Ukraine, and withdraw Spanish troops from the borders with Russia.”
Furthermore, the narrative attempts to shift responsibility for the war to Europe, including Spain, while ignoring Russia’s violation of international law in initiating the war.
“The countries that are part of NATO and some others, headed and led by the United States, are already at war with Russia. An unfortunate war in which Europe has fallen by committing three sins: having contributed to provoking it, not having known how to avoid it and having been materially involved in it. You cannot win a war against a nuclear power without mutual destruction.”
- https://www.nuevatribuna.es/articulo/global/historia-normandia-diad-80-anos-despues-europa-nuevo-guerra/20240608184855227713.html
Similarly, ctxt.es echoes these anti-Ukrainian sentiments by stigmatizing the Ukrainian leadership as a fascist regime. This leftist Spanish publication covers primary internal topics, but when it comes to Ukraine, it condones Russia’s claim for “the right to its sphere of influence,” which ultimately justifies its right to wage wars, supports the claim that NATO is to blame for “a proxy war against Russia” in Ukraine, quotes Russian state propaganda media, and reports Moscow’s version of the events, such as a “NATO factory” in Dnipro.
Claims of “Ukrainian aggression” and disinformation about war crimes
The Venezuelan outlet Avn Info amplifies Russian disinformation narratives used by the Kremlin to justify its war against Ukraine. It propagates the false claim of a “genocide” in Donbas, allegedly orchestrated by the Zelenskyy government. According to the website, Russia’s so-called “special military operation” aims to protect the Donbas population from this fabricated genocide and to counter the eastward expansion of NATO, which it frames as a threat to Russia’s national security.
- https://avn.info.ve/rusia-denuncia-que-paises-de-occidente-pretenden-prolongar-conflicto-ucraniano/
“Russia submitted to the ICJ material alleging that Ukraine has committed genocide in Donbas. Russian side presented other additional claims related to violations of the Convention, such as: complicity in genocide, incitement to commit genocide, failure to take measures to prevent and punish genocide.”
- https://avn.info.ve/rusia-entrego-a-la-cij-pruebas-materiales-de-que-ucrania-ha-cometido-genocidio-en-el-donbas/
The misionverdad.com website is a Venezuela-based Spanish-language outlet that advocates for the Bolivarian revolution, supports Russia and BRICS, and constantly criticizes and demonizes the West and the United States. Its coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war aligns with Kremlin propaganda.
The outlet highlights alleged Ukrainian violations of international laws and agreements, omitting any acknowledgment of Russia’s breach of international law, including its invasion of Ukraine and the violation of the Budapest Memorandum.
- https://misionverdad.com/globalistan/ucrania-viola-sistematicamente-todas-sus-obligaciones-internacionales
- https://misionverdad.com/globalistan/guerra-en-ucrania-una-semana-que-conmovio-al-mundo
Their articles discuss “aggression against Russia,” “provocations against Russia,” and Putin’s warnings to the West but fail to condemn Russia’s invasion or acknowledge its war crimes. Instead, the site accuses Ukraine and the United States of escalating the war without mentioning Russia’s culpability.
- https://misionverdad.com/globalistan/ucrania-y-la-nueva-escalada-con-los-misiles-atacms
- https://misionverdad.com/globalistan/guerra-en-ucrania-una-semana-que-conmovio-al-mundo
The Venezuelan outlet Red Radio Ve frequently republishes Russian state propaganda, amplifying false accusations and Kremlin-aligned narratives. For instance, it reposts claims from Russia’s RT, such as a statement by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, which falsely alleges that Ukraine is preparing an attack on the Kursk nuclear power plant.
“Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that Ukraine began preparations for an attack on the Kursk nuclear power plant.”
- https://redradiove.com/rusia-alerta-ante-amenaza-nuclear-de-ucrania/
Additionally, Red Radio Ve spreads Russian disinformation regarding peace talks, quoting Putin’s claims about the legitimacy of Ukraine’s leadership. Putin asserts that President Zelenskyy’s mandate expired and that the current Ukrainian government is a result of an “armed coup” from 2014, echoing the Kremlin’s narrative of an “illegitimate regime.”
“Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday listed conditions for starting peace negotiations with Ukraine. Putin also addressed the question of the legitimacy of the Ukrainian regime’s leader, Vladimir Zelensky. “The presidential term of the previously elected head of Ukraine has expired (…) the origin of the current regime in Kiev was an armed coup”, which took place in 2014, and now ”the executive power in Ukraine is again, as in 2014, usurped and illegally retained.””
- https://redradiove.com/putin-enumero-condiciones-para-negociar-con-ucrania/
Red Radio Ve also republishes unverified and harmful narratives to demonize Ukrainians. For example, it echoes a false claim from RT that links a suspect in an attack on former U.S. President Donald Trump to Ukrainian mercenaries.
“Author of the attack on Trump is linked to Ukrainian mercenaries. According to the Russian RT channel, the person responsible for the second attack on Trump traveled to Ukraine to allegedly “recruit mercenaries for Kiev”.”
- https://redradiove.com/autor-del-atentado-a-trump-esta-ligado-a-mercenarios-ucranianos/
“Russia is winning the war, the defeat of Ukraine and the West is close”
The misionverdad.com outlet, that we have covered in the first part, also promotes narratives about Russia’s supposedly invincible air defense system, claiming it is a response to escalations by Ukraine and the West. Furthermore, it suggests that Ukraine is on the brink of inevitable and rapid military defeat, reinforcing Kremlin-aligned messaging.Play Video
In addition to war-related content, the website praises the BRICS initiative and portrays it as a counterbalance to Western influence, while casting the West in a consistently negative light.
- https://misionverdad.com/globalistan/la-inminente-derrota-militar-de-ucrania
- https://misionverdad.com/globalistan/un-balance-geopolitico-de-la-xvi-cumbre-de-los-brics-en-kazan
Additionally, the platform critiques Western financial and military aid to Ukraine, alleging mismanagement and highlighting economic losses for Western nations as a consequence of this support.
- https://misionverdad.com/globalistan/guerra-en-ucrania-una-semana-que-conmovio-al-mundo
The website nuevarevolucion.es highlights Europe’s reliance on Russian fuel while casting doubt on the viability of NATO’s intervention in Ukraine. It characterizes NATO’s presence as an “occupation,” claiming it is economically exploitative and unsustainable.
- https://nuevarevolucion.es/ucrania-plan-de-ocupacion-y-negocios/
The outlet ctxt.es focuses on Russia’s military advancements, such as the development of the “Oreshnik” missile system, which it argues provide Moscow with an edge over Ukraine and NATO. NATO is portrayed as the primary provocateur, allegedly escalating tensions and forcing Russia into a defensive posture.
“Oreshnik visits Yuzhmash. With the attack on the Dnipro missile factory, Moscow demonstrates that it is capable of continuing the military escalation in Ukraine. Images of the supersonic hail of explosions over the NATO factory in Dnipropetrovsk have been broadcast ad nauseam in the media.”
- https://ctxt.es/es/20241101/Politica/47959/Rafael-Poch-Oreshnik-Yuzhmash-Rusia-guerra-OTAN-misiles-escalada.htm
The articles frame Ukraine as a Western proxy, suggesting its resistance against Russia is unsustainable and that Western involvement unnecessarily prolongs the war. This narrative frequently implies that a Russian victory is inevitable. Additionally, ctxt.es says that the West’s actions increase the risk of nuclear conflict, shifting responsibility for potential escalation onto NATO and its allies.
“How will NATO respond to its defeat in Ukraine? The military defeat of Ukraine is a given, but the most dangerous thing is that it will also, and above all, be a NATO defeat against Russia “by proxy”. If attacked by a superior military force such as NATO, the Russian ruling group will declare an “existential danger” for Russia, which according to its doctrine, which is being corrected to make it more flexible, means the possibility of the use of nuclear weapons.”
- https://ctxt.es/es/20240901/Firmas/47402/Rafael-Poch-derrota-OTAN-Ucrania-elecciones-EEUU.htm
“Ukraine is getting closer and closer to the ‘Hiroshima moment’. The situation in Ukraine offers Russia more and more military and geopolitical reasons to use tactical nuclear weapons. Russia wants to end the war in an acceptable way. Even after it has conquered the Donbas provinces, it will face continuous attacks with long-range weaponry provided by the United States and its junior NATO partners.”
- https://ctxt.es/es/20240901/Firmas/47344/ucrania-rusia-estados-unidos-armas-nucleares-tacticas-hiroshima.htm
The so-called ‘alternative media’ Mente Alternativa reposts the disinformation posted by Russian intelligence.
“The West’s new strategy for Ukraine under Trump: NATO bets on freezing the conflict with a ‘peace mission’ for occupation, according to Russian intelligence. The West, with no expectations of a strategic victory against Russia, plans to occupy Ukraine under a “peace mission.” According to the Russian SVR, 100,000 NATO troops will be deployed and the territory will be divided into allied-controlled zones.”
- https://www.mentealternativa.com/la-nueva-estrategia-de-occidente-para-ucrania-con-trump-la-otan-apuesta-por-congelar-el-conflicto-con-una-mision-de-paz-para-la-ocupacion-segun-la-inteligencia-rusa/
This media spreads the pro-Kremlin narrative that an evil NATO threatens Russia, bringing the world closer to nuclear war, and Russia is simply forced to respond to the ‘Armageddon desired by the Biden administration’, repeating Kremlin’s fakes about ‘Nazis in Ukraine’.
- https://www.mentealternativa.com/rusia-prepara-su-respuesta-al-armagedon-deseado-por-la-administracion-biden/
A Chile-based Spanish-language news website Piensa Chile often quotes Russian foreign intelligence, Russian state propaganda media and reposts their content, including pro-Kremlin narratives and manipulations, demonizing the EU, the US and Ukraine, and promoting Moscow’s views.
Notably, Piensa Chile disseminated a false story claiming that the West planned to partition Ukraine. It also circulated claims about Ukraine’s imminent defeat on the battlefield, suggesting that Ukrainian forces were on the verge of collapse.
- https://piensachile.com/2024/12/05/rusia-ucrania-congelar-el-conflicto-la-trampa-de-occidente/
Geoestrategia.es presents itself as a platform operated by the self-proclaimed Spanish Institute of Geopolitics. It is managed by Juan Antonio Aguilar, a former Spanish military officer known for contributing to Russia’s propaganda platforms Sputnik and RT and for frequent visits to Moscow. The outlet has recently moved to a new domain, Geoestrategia.eu.
Geoestrategia.es frames Russia’s war in Ukraine as a NATO proxy conflict, accusing Europe of instigating the war while avoiding any criticism of Moscow. The platform promotes Russian disinformation about supposed ‘Nazi influence in Ukraine’ and circulates various conspiracy theories. Additionally, it consistently praises Russia and its leadership, including weapons like Oreshnik, while perpetuating pro-Moscow narratives.
“Europe’s submission: the real objectives of the U.S. war in Ukraine. In its grand geopolitical maneuvers regarding Ukraine, the United States must have been fully aware of the unlikelihood of dismantling Russia’s military strength or eroding its political coherence through conventional warfare or economic sanctions.”
- https://geoestrategia.eu/noticia/43787/geoestrategia/la-sumision-de-europa:-los-verdaderos-objetivos-de-la-guerra-de-estados-unidos-en-ucrania.html
“Concealing defeat: In full delirium, NATO continues to drag the world into war and threatens “pre-emptive strikes” on Russia. NATO countries are considering preemptive strikes against Russia in the event of an armed conflict, said Admiral Rob Bauer, head of the bloc’s Military Committee.”
- https://geoestrategia.eu/noticia/43738/ultimas-noticias/ocultar-la-derrota:-en-pleno-delirio-la-otan-sigue-arrastrando-al-mundo-a-la-guerra-y-amenaza-con-ataques-preventivos-a-rusia.-analisis.html
Anti-Western sentiment: Depicting the EU and U.S. as imperialist powers
La Casa de Mitia is a Spanish-language web platform that supports Russia and China while condemning and demonizing the West and Turkey. It advocates for a new multipolar world order and covers the Russia-Ukraine war from a pro-Kremlin perspective. Its articles spread falsehoods about the war, mock the West, and vilify both Western nations and Turkey.
“The number of Ukrainian soldiers is being reduced at a steady and increasing rate: more than 12,000 died in the last week alone.” “Still, Russia is shocked by the blatant lies, double-dealing and naivety of Turkey.”
- https://www.lacasademitia.es/articulo/politica/ucrania-siria-plan-occidental-que-fracasa-larry-johnson/20241216073658164305.html
In an article by Augusto Zamora R., a former Nicaraguan ambassador to Spain and professor of Public International Law and International Relations at the Autonomous University of Madrid, reiterates Kremlin disinformation about the perceived evils of NATO and Atlanticism. It also defends the actions of Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
“NATO has been at war with the world for 25 years. From Yugoslavia in 1999 to Ukraine in 2024.” “The debacle in Syria may make Iran see that it’s only possibility of resistance would lie in developing its nuclear potential. In North Korea they understood this in time. In Russia, they have finally understood it.”
- https://www.lacasademitia.es/articulo/politica/siria-es-stalingrado-augusto-zamora-r/20241211223723164106.html
The Venezuelan outlet Aporrea.org promotes a pro-Russian and anti-Western perspective, framing Russia and China as leaders of a multipolar world order that resists the “unipolar domination” imposed by the United States, NATO, and their allies. Their actions are depicted as protective efforts to uphold sovereignty, not only for themselves but also for nations marginalized by ‘Western imperial interests’.
Aporrea.org casts NATO, the U.S., and the U.K. as the main aggressors, accusing them of extending their influence through military interventions, economic strategies, and ideological campaigns. In this framing, Ukraine is seen as a mere pawn in a larger geopolitical struggle, with the West leveraging the conflict to weaken Russia while consolidating its dominance across global affairs.
- https://www.aporrea.org/ideologia/a336773.html
The outlet Diario Octubre pushes a narrative aimed at demonizing both Ukraine and the West, often relying on Russian propaganda and anti-Western rhetoric.
“…the takeover of the country [Syria] by terrorist groups in the service of US and European imperialism.”
“…the European Union (EU) called rebels, when they know that they are terrorists, see how the EU closes their doors. This behaviour of this very anti-democratic and even fascist institution gives them away.”
- https://diario-octubre.com/2024/12/11/ue-tras-la-caida-de-al-assad-varios-paises-europeos-suspenden-las-solicitudes-de-asilo-de-sirios/
The platform reposted an RT video titled “Ukraine and the West: A Factory of Lies”, which falsely asserts that Western PR agencies manipulate public opinion about Ukraine and NATO.
“PR agencies that set the news agenda in the West. Top executives of US social media companies with close ties to intelligence services. All united in a vast Western-funded network of influence aimed at manipulating public opinion and cleaning up the image of wars waged against US enemies. The most recent application of these methods is the forced narrative in media coverage of the conflict in Ukraine.”
- https://diario-octubre.com/2024/12/02/ucrania-y-occidente-factoria-de-mentira/
Another piece originating from the “Madrid Platform against NATO and the Bases” brands NATO as the “empire of lies.” It spreads various false claims, such as NATO and EU forces operating in Ukraine, Russian attacks targeting only military installations, and baseless assertions that Western leaders made deceptive promises to Gorbachev not to expand NATO eastward. Additionally, it includes inflammatory anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, referring to supposed “Ukronazi” elements.
“First, they should know this well, since NATO and the EU have troops stationed in Ukraine, so they know very well who their dead are.”
“Secondly, to date Russian attacks have been limited to military targets and energy centres, in order to cut off the sources of energy for the Ukronazi army.”
“…since after the disappearance of the USSR, the Western leaders promised Gorbachev that NATO would not move one centimeter to the East…”
- https://diario-octubre.com/2024/12/05/el-imperio-de-la-mentira/
The outlet Tercera Informacion published an article by Federico Ticchi on his experience at the International Summit in North Korea on Anti-Capitalism, Peoples’ Sovereignty and Juche. The publication depicts North Korea as a last Communist bastion with spotlessly clean streets and nice people. But the publication fails to mention that it is the cruelest totalitarian regime in the world.
“Koreans tend to be very respectful of their leaders, almost as if they were gods, because they were the ones who had given them freedom, against the oppression of centuries of invasions from different countries, led by Japan.”
- https://www.tercerainformacion.es/opinion/13/01/2017/mi-experiencia-en-la-cumbre-internacional-en-corea-del-norte-sobre-el-anticapitalismo-la-soberania-de-los-pueblos-y-el-juche/
The same individual who runs Nueva Revolución, a pro-Russian, biased outlet, also manages Contrainformación, a far-left, pro-Moscow publication in Spain. This outlet covers Ukraine from a communist and pro-Russian angle, promoting a pro-Moscow narrative. Putin’s propaganda often exploits claims about Nazis in Ukraine to justify the war. Contrainformación maintains a strong anti-Western stance, attributing responsibility for the war to NATO rather than Russia. However, its rhetoric against Ukraine has become somewhat less intense over time.
One notable statement from the outlet reads: “The war in Ukraine and anti-imperialism. A successful Russian invasion of Ukraine would embolden the United States to pursue a path of world domination by force, amidst an intensification of global colonial divisions and the deepening of international antagonisms.”
- https://contrainformacion.es/la-guerra-en-ucrania-y-el-antiimperialismo-gilbert-achcar-stathis-kouvelakis/
La Pluma is a Spanish-language media outlet, which sometimes publishes opinion pieces with anti-Western and pro-Kremlin views, including those by pro-Russian author Rafael Poch, often uses graphic collages that positively portray Russia and demonize the West and the US. It refers to RT and other Russian propagandists in its articles.
“You do not spare criticism of NATO’s anti-Russian policy, stating that “the way Russia was treated at the end of the Cold War was a short-sighted policy of the United States and the Atlanticists”. Is this not a way of explaining Russia’s reaction with its “special military operation” in Ukraine? Did not the Ukrainian state’s policies towards its Russian-speaking population in the Donbass contribute to its outbreak?”
- https://www.lapluma.net/2024/12/13/74108/
“The main concern of the US, which also explains its policies -including NATO’s war in Ukraine in its eagerness to encircle Russia- is the loss of its hegemonic power capacity, due to the economic expansion of China and other emerging powers.”
- https://www.lapluma.net/2024/06/23/68012/
“Ukraine, year three. The transformation of Russia. The Russia of today is not, nor will it be, the USSR of yesterday, but the logic of the struggle between the state-subordinated capitalism characteristic of Russia and Western transnational capitalism is giving rise to a transformation of great importance for the world as a whole.”
- https://www.lapluma.net/2024/02/27/ucrania-ano-tres-ii-la-transformacion-de-rusia/
“Ukraine, year three. Ukraine loses the war. What is left of Ukraine will be in charge of organizing instability in those occupied territories with the help of NATO, forcing the establishment of Russian police and “anti-terrorist” administrations there with the usual panoply of violence, attacks, torture and missing persons.”
- https://www.lapluma.net/2024/02/25/ucrania-ano-tres-i-ucrania-pierde-la-guerra/
Glorification of Russia
The narratives presented on Aporrea.org advocate for sovereignty and challenge alleged NATO and Western oligarchic influence, while promoting an alliance between Russia and China as a counterbalance to global oligarchic powers. Aporrea.org suggests that Russia and China work together to challenge the dominance of Western-backed global institutions and economic systems, promoting a so-called multipolar world
- https://www.aporrea.org/internacionales/a336792.html
The outlet RedRadioVe, through narratives presented in the article, highlights a commitment to a culturally resilient, independent, and sovereign Russia that values its internal diversity, historical figures, language, and a deep-rooted connection to Russian traditions and self-determination.
- https://redradiove.com/desde-rusia-sobre-el-miedo-por-oleg-yasinsky/
The narratives presented on Africando.org promote a multipolar world where Western global influence is challenged, while highlighting Russia’s sovereignty and victimization. One of the key ideas is the framing of NATO as a tool of global plutocracy and neoliberal interests.
In contrast, Russia is presented as a victim, unfairly targeted and accused by NATO and other Western forces.
“…in Romania, the grooms of the plutocracy of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and NATO/European Union (EU)/G-7 cancelled, under the childish pretext of Russian interference, the presidential election, where the sovereignist Călin Georgescu was the overwhelming favorite…”
- https://africando.org/ong/prensa-para-pensar/bajo-la-lupa-desplome-del-globalismo-neoliberal-desde-francia-hasta-sudcorea/
An article published on Insurgente.org suggests that Russia is unbeatable and that the EU is a disgrace. The piece claims that the governments of Western nations, by continuing to act as “lackeys” of the United States, are steering their countries toward catastrophic conflict. It warns that the EU risks losing vital trade partnerships, particularly with Russia, and could suffer devastating military consequences. The article states:
“The governments of Western countries are heading towards a conflict that is greatly detrimental to them because of their stubbornness in continuing to be lackeys of the United States. In addition to losing a trading partner and supplier of raw materials, such as Russia, the EU risks suffering bombings on its own territory and seeing its own military infrastructure reduced to ashes. Russia has shown its power…”
- https://insurgente.org/los-aplausos-de-la-verguenza/
Network of pro-Kremlin Spanish-language Telegram channels
Articles with Russian narratives published on biased outlets are widely shared across social media platforms. Pro-Russian actors leverage social media channels, especially Telegram, to amplify pro-Russian and anti-Western narratives, leveraging their algorithms to disseminate harmful content rapidly to huge audiences.
Telegram has become a crucial platform for pro-Russian groups to disseminate disinformation and engage audiences across many countries. We have listed here below main Telegram channels, which share news reports from the Kremlin perspective in Spanish, significantly contribute to Russia’s influence operations and hybrid actions abroad.
- https://t.me/ukr_leaks_esp/
- https://t.me/sputnikmundo/
- https://t.me/infodefSPAIN/
- https://t.me/ucraniando/
- https://t.me/surf_noise_sp/
- https://t.me/pravdaescom/
- https://t.me/rybaresp/
- https://t.me/tass_es/
- https://t.me/elzoomrt/
- https://t.me/frentemilitargeo/
- https://t.me/pravdaescom/
- https://t.me/rtnoticias/
- https://t.me/smolny7/
- https://t.me/elresumenmilitar/
Conclusions on pro-Russian news websites in Spain and Latin America
These pro-Russian news websites in Spain and Latin America consistently aim to discredit Ukraine on the global stage and to shift the blame for Russia’s war to the EU and the US, in an attempt to legitimize Moscow’s interests, sow international doubts about Ukraine’s stability, and undermine Western military aid to Ukraine, thus making the country more vulnerable to Russian military assaults.
The analysis shows that media outlets promoting Russian propaganda have far-left or communist views due to historical ties between Moscow and local communist movements. Furthermore, Russia’s influence in the Spanish-speaking world is enhanced by friendly outlets in Latin America, particularly from countries with leftist dictatorial regimes like Cuba and Venezuela.
The revealed and analyzed news outlets have different levels of bias in their reporting; however, they all contribute to Russia’s information warfare targeting not only Ukraine but the collective West, which they often accuse of imperialism.
This article is the 15th research in the series of research into pro-Russian media networks in the West. You can find previous reports on this page: https://insightnews.media/research/.
The next research will be released in around two weeks, offering further analysis of the narratives being propagated by the pro-Kremlin outlets in one more European country.