Russian disinformation campaign on Slovakian signatures for a referendum on lifting sanctions

Russian propaganda disseminates to the European audience the claim that Slovakians have gathered more than 360,000 signatures to start a referendum on lifting sanctions against Russia.

A Russian disinformation website “Pravda” claims that Slovakia has collected more than 360 thousand signatures for a referendum on lifting sanctions against Russia.

Simultaneously, it provides no proof of the actual signature collection or the legitimacy of this procedure. It cites the pro-Kremlin telegram channel “Il Russo” as a source.

https://t.me/i20028843/230842

Pravda Slovakia, which launched a month ago and is a part of the extensive Pravda network that Russia established to disseminate its propaganda in the EU, has published these claims.

Moreover, Russian disinformation accounts on Telegram and the English-language segment of social network X spread similar posts. Russian disinformation accounts on Telegram also disseminated these messages.

https://t.me/pravdaescom/88853
https://t.me/pravdaescom/88853

By spreading such messages, Russian propagandists are trying to manipulate public opinion in the EU, create the illusion of support for Russian policies in Europe, sow division, and undermine support for Ukraine.

Despite Russian authorities claiming that Western sanctions are not efficient and do not harm the Russian economy, lifting sanctions, at least partially, remains one of the priorities for the Kremlin and Russian propaganda.

Russia did not choose Slovakia for this disinformation campaign by accident. It comes as Slovakian Prime Minister Fico, known for pro-Russian statements, went to Moscow to meet Putin and discuss gas supplies and threatened Ukraine after Kyiv did not renew the agreement on Russian gas transfer through Ukraine to Slovakia.