English

··
14. Aug 2024

Best memes reflecting situation in Kursk region

Propastop describes the situation in Russia and the Kursk region after the Ukrainian forces’ incursion using memes found online. Dear reader, if you have come across a good meme on this topic, please share it with Propastop! We will share it with other readers.

PHOTO FROM THE KURSK REGION: Everything is fine (text on the truck).
FU..ED. The Russian profanity пиздец can be translated in various ways—messed up, screwed, f…ed. The middle letter “Z” is written using the Kremlin’s war symbol.
A reference to the Kursk submarine that drowned in 2000.
This world map highlights all the countries that have successfully captured part of the territory of a nuclear-armed state.
FLAGS OF THE KURSK PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC. The name of the republic and the design of the flags parody the “people’s republics” created in the Kremlin-occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
WELCOME TO THE KURSK REGION. The entrance sign to the Kursk region is designed in Ukrainian colors and written in Ukrainian.
The Red Cross demands that Ukraine allow the captured soldiers of the Kadyrovite unit to use TikTok. This is a reference to the fact that Kadyrovites, who boast in the media, are often called “TikTok warriors” because, instead of fighting on the front lines, they show off on social media.
DRONYAYEVO: Near the Kursk nuclear power plant lies the settlement of Dronjajevo, a name that can be translated as “Drone Village.”
Question: Why did Ukrainian forces invade the Kursk region?
Answer: We just came to use our toilets. (A reference to the 2022 incident where retreating Russian soldiers looted washing machines, televisions, and even toilets from Ukraine.)

All the memes are screenshots from the internet.

Post Views: 5,331

Märksõnad

Suggested

Propamon |

Latest from Media literacy

Viimased EST

·········
6. Jan 2025

Facebook as a propaganda minefield

Russia is quietly rebuilding its image on Facebook, flooding feeds with posts celebrating its military, culture, and beauty. But who’s behind this surge? Propastop investigates the hidden networks driving these campaigns. Part of its 2024 Best Reads, this eye-opening story reminds readers to stay alert to online influence.
25. Nov 2024

Old Tactics in a New Bottle 2: The Russia’s Biolabs Narrative

In today's article, Propastop continues to compare Soviet and Russian narratives, focusing on the use of biolab and health-related themes. During the Cold War, the KGB managed to convince much of the world that HIV was created in secret U.S. biolabs. Now, Russian propaganda justifies the invasion of Ukraine by claiming that biolabs in the
···
18. Nov 2024

Estonian student earns EU award for unmasking Russian propaganda

As the U.S., U.K., and France yesterday authorized Ukraine to use long-range weapons against Russia, Hugo Treffner Gymnasium student Annika Moppel’s award-winning research gains new relevance. Her study, which analyzed Russian propaganda in Rossiskaja Gazeta's coverage of the October 8, 2022, Crimean Bridge explosion, reveals the sophisticated disinformation tactics used to manipulate narratives during Russian
11. Nov 2024

China’s influence operations: not that impressive compared to Russia

China has shifted its influence game in past U.S. elections—focusing less on presidential candidates and more on Congress and state races to shape a long-term, China-friendly political landscape, says analyst Tauno Tõhk. In a Propastop interview, the ICDS researcher explains how Chinese state propaganda operates abroad.
8. Nov 2024

Russian influencers anticipate turmoil in the U.S. following a power shift

Both Russia’s official opinion leaders and Telegram influencers are eagerly focused on the question of who will make the first move in mutual communication following Donald Trump’s election victory—the Russian or the U.S. president. Telegram posts reveal the influencers' desire and hope that the power shift in the U.S. will lead to a divisive conflict
4. Nov 2024

Moldova Wins, the Kremlin Loses

Moldovan President Maia Sandu secured victory in the second round of elections yesterday with a 55:45 win over former Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo, despite an extensive Kremlin-backed influence campaign. “Sandu’s victory is crucial for Moldova’s journey toward freeing itself from the grip of pro-Kremlin oligarchs and gradually transforming into a prosperous European society,” said Tiina
1. Nov 2024

From Trash Trucks to Memes: How Trump’s Stunts Fuel Political Satire

Donald Trump’s real-life stints on a trash van and in a McDonald’s kitchen became meme gold mine. Halloween and the U.S. election season have sparked a wave of memes, blending humor and satire. Propastop highlights the week’s best, capturing the fusion of culture, politics, and internet creativity.
24. Oct 2024

Miltton’s study: On the resilience of social cohesion in the face of crises.

Estonian people are not satisfied with the changes and developments taking place in the world around them, note analysts from Miltton, the leading Nordic consulting firm. This creates uncertainty about their ability to cope and leads to resistance, for example, to government decisions. Uncertainty and distrust, in turn, create fertile ground for information warfare attacks
·
19. Oct 2024

Ukraine’s Nuclear Meme Wave

Twitter was abuzz with nuclear weapons memes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine’s security hinges on either joining NATO or acquiring nuclear weapons. Propastop has collected the best of them for you.
14. Oct 2024

What Unites and Distinguishes the Border Cities of Narva and Daugavpils?

Ilze Kuzmina, a journalist from the Latvian newspaper Latvijas Avīze, decided to visit and compare the three cities in the Baltic states with the largest Russian-speaking populations. Propastop is publishing today Kuzmina's comparison of the information consumption and attitudes of the residents of Narva, Estonia, and Daugavpils, Latvia.
3. Oct 2024

“Stand up, children, in a Z shape”—how Russia brainwashes the next generation of its citizens

Since 2022, Russian education has shifted towards a military agenda. New subjects have been introduced, and propaganda targeting children has intensified. Comics about the "heroism" of soldiers, meetings with veterans, and their involvement in schools are used to shape youth loyalty and nationalism. Propastop analyzes how the Russian education system shapes the "correct" views in
··
26. Sep 2024

1944: Tallinn “Liberated” by the Red Army – Were the ‘Liberators’ Given Flowers or Shot At?

This year, Russian propaganda attempted to generate interest in the anniversary of the "liberation of Tallinn" by publishing previously classified archival documents. In the beginning of Lieutenant General Holodov's report, Tallinn residents are depicted welcoming the Red Army with flowers, but by the third page, it is revealed that "in the first two days following
····
17. Sep 2024

Kremlin’s Grip on Moldova: Criminal Oligarchs and Church Sway Elections

On October 20, Moldova will simultaneously hold presidential elections and a referendum on joining the European Union. The Kremlin is attacking pro-European President Maia Sandu with the help of oligarch Ilan Shor, who stole one billion dollars from the banks of the impoverished small nation, and the Orthodox Church. Today, Propastop describes how the elections
·
12. Sep 2024

A Brief Guide to Estonian War Bloggers

Propastop analyzed four of the most well-known war bloggers: Igor Taro, Teet Kalmus, Rainer Saks, and Artur Rehi. We focused on the sources of information the blogger uses, the media environment in which they operate, their primary motivation, and the style of the blog—whether they simply relay information or attempt to create a mood. Note!
···
29. Aug 2024

Numerous. But how capable? What is the state of the Belarusian army in 2024?

Belarus' President Lukashenko, known for his aggressive stance, recently threatened a "pre-emptive strike" against Lithuania. Amid rising tensions, Belarus is massing troops, tanks, and artillery near Ukraine's northern border under the guise of exercises, with former Wagner troops also reported in the area. Lukashenko claims the buildup, involving a third of his army, stems from
····
22. Aug 2024

The international press amplifies Kaitseliit’s message: “We will kill as many invaders as possible.”

Estonians have long viewed themselves as targets of Russia's ongoing hybrid pressure. However, the actions of Kaitseliit clearly demonstrate to our NATO allies our unwavering commitment to national defense, serving as a strong deterrent against Russian aggression. This is underscored by the significant interest from international media, with over 30 prominent outlets having visited Kaitseliit
·····
16. Aug 2024

Most Important Political Messages of the Paris Olympic Games

The Olympic Games are a significant event in global politics, showcasing the strength of nations in international competition and providing a sense of pride and confidence to people facing difficult times. Propastop highlights eight examples of the political winners and losers of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. We begin with Ukraine, which, despite the ongoing
···
8. Aug 2024

Who was the Russian war blogger “Beliy” killed in the desert?

In late July, the Russian war blogger Nikita Fedyanin (29), known by his alias "Beliy," met a grim fate in northern Mali. His meteoric rise in the media world has captivated Russian propaganda analysts. Fedyanin's Telegram channel, Grey Zone, gained significant notoriety as a key platform for transmitting messages from the notorious Wagner Group leaders
·······
25. Jul 2024

The Baltic’s exit from the common energy system causes discontent in the Kremlin

The official announcement of the Baltic States' departure from the unified energy system with Russia and Belarus increases our energy independence, which irritates the Kremlin. "This political decision can be costly for the Baltics, leading to price increases and energy crises, as well as economic downturns and street protests," claimed the business newspaper Vzglyad.
·····
18. Jul 2024

How does a Churchill Fellowship researcher evaluate Estonia’s resilience?

Churchill Fellowship researcher Beth Lambert has recently published a study titled “Effective Cross-Society Combat Against Disinformation Campaigns” as a result of her extensive work. Propastop publishes Lambert's description of the situation in Estonia because the research outcome provides an interesting, impartial assessment of Estonia's achievements and readiness to combat foreign information manipulation and interference.
14. Jul 2024

8 memes that made social media laugh

The turbulent political events of recent weeks have provided plenty of material for meme creators to showcase their wit. The Propastop editorial team has compiled a selection of memes about Kaja Kallas, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, as well as Viktor Orbán's visit to Moscow.
11. Jul 2024

Narrative X-ray: Playing with the Open Cards

The Kremlin's bundle of narratives, including special operations, denazification, stopping the persecution of Russians, protecting the "Russian world", the "historical truth" about the non-existence of Ukraine, fighting against the aggression of the collective West, etc., changes according to the circumstances, but now it has come down to playing with open cards, to stating your true
·
24. Jun 2024

Narrative X-ray: did NATO promise Russia not to expand eastwards? 

Russia's narrative of Western promises to limit the expansion of NATO is a sophisticated manipulation of history. This narrative isn't just a historical footnote, but a strategic weapon. It's aimed at preventing the expansion of NATO and legitimizing Russia's interventions, particularly in Ukraine. However, due to Russia's aggressive behavior, including its invasion of Ukraine, it
31. Dec 2023

Narrative X-ray: Does Russia want peace?

Russia claims it wants peace and is not to blame for starting wars, but the facts show that the narrative systematically repeated by key Kremlin figures is false. In the same way, Russia's calls for peace with Ukraine are hollow, because fulfilling the conditions set as its basis would mean suicide for Ukraine.
12. Oct 2026

Rybar: From War Blog to International Influence Network

Led by Russian military blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk, who was detained in Montenegro, Rybar is far more than a Telegram channel covering the war. Its network of more than 250 channels reaches millions, spreading Kremlin narratives in dozens of languages, gathering intelligence for the Russian military and seeking to shape information abroad.
5. Oct 2026

When Someone Enters Your Home but Steals Nothing

Someone may have been entering the homes of Finnish MPs. Nothing is stolen and nothing is visibly damaged. Instead, small signs are left behind, just noticeable enough to send a message: someone was here. Police are now investigating a series of nearly twenty suspicious incidents.
1. Oct 2026

Attribution: Who Do We Point the Finger At?

Attribution, the process of identifying who is responsible, has evolved over time and grown in importance in recent years. In this analysis, we distinguish between three types of attribution: institutional, public and political. We explain what each involves and how they differ.

English

Don't Miss rs

Best of 2025:”Don’t Let Russia Divide Us,” Urges Estonian Volunteer for Ukraine

Drone Strikes, the Internet Responds