From January 30 to February 1, the Russian Federation significantly escalated its information manipulations regarding Ukraine, particularly through the use of the so-called Epstein files to undermine the Ukrainian state and its leadership. Monitoring revealed approximately 19.7 thousand materials mentioning Ukraine on 145 websites known for spreading disinformation—nearly 1.9 times the 10.2 thousand materials published by over a thousand legitimate foreign media outlets during the same period. About 66% of foreign content about Ukraine was disseminated by resources involved in foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) coordinated by Russia.
Experts identified key aspects of this information attack, particularly the strategic use of Epstein-related materials, which totaled over 300 publications. These narratives promoted themes like a supposed “state coup,” “external control,” and “total corruption” in Ukraine. Additionally, discrediting messages targeted Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts and President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of intransigence and attempting to sabotage negotiations, especially ahead of talks in Abu Dhabi.
Another angle of Russian propaganda portrayed a “tired Europe” unwilling to integrate Ukraine into the EU, using critical statements from European politicians to suggest dwindling support for military and economic assistance. Following mass power outages in Ukraine on January 31, about 500 more manipulative publications blamed the Ukrainian authorities for the energy crisis, depicting the country as a “failed state.”
The disinformation was spread through propaganda networks like Pravda, Sputnik, and RT, with additional support from some Hungarian media, infiltrating legitimate outlets in various countries. Analysts highlighted the systematic nature of this campaign to undermine international support for Ukraine and delegitimize its diplomatic positions. They also referenced earlier instances of Russian propaganda, including the circulation of a fake video from MI6 to accuse Ukrainians abroad of terrorism. In light of these developments, maintaining a critical perspective on presented materials is crucial for understanding their impact on Ukraine’s international support and regional stability.
