Some people tend to consider information shared on Facebook or Twitter more truthful than mediated by professional media. It seems after all that opinions, news and attitudes come directly from people and life itself, without distorting delivery. In the beginning of April Buzzfeed published an article, which shows that this understanding is a misconception and that social media is easily manipulated.
Social media manipulators
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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.
Picture Game Answer: Police major exercise Green Victory
To find the correct answer for the November picture game, it was necessary to use keyword search instead of image-based search.
Picture game: where did the confrontation with the police take place?
Propastop got hold of a picture where an Estonian police chain is in a confrontation with a group of rioters wearing white hoods and orange vests. Where, when, and under what circumstances was this picture taken? In your answer, be sure to include your reasoning along with visual evidence. Hints and tools to solve the
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
Who is the Tallinn resident who marched in Berlin with the Russian flag?
Recently, a Tallinn resident, Luka Andreyev, drew attention at an anti-war march organized by Russian exiles in Berlin by carrying the Russian Federation flag. Propastop provides an overview, based on online sources, of the views and goals of the young man who moved to Tallinn a few years ago with his parents.
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
KOOS leader Ivanov threatens, “We will create a Popular Front to protect Russians in Estonia!”
Oleg Ivanov, a board member of the KOOS party, threatened at the recently held Russian Compatriots Congress to create a Popular Front in Estonia to protect the rights of Russians if the Estonian government does not cease its "Russophobic and fascist" mockery and restriction of Russians' rights. Propastop describes today how KOOS leaders Ivanov and
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.
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
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
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.
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
Marian Männi: “This is how the Kremlin’s all-out attack on Moldova worked.”
The journalist Marian Männi, who lives in Moldova, personally experienced what modern fake campaigns are like. A fake video was published of her husband, Moldova's Minister of Economy, in which he is shown sitting at a table covered with cocaine lines, surrounded by naked women. Propastop publishes Marian Männi's reflection on the election campaign that
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.
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.
The National Library recommends: “Why do rational people believe irrational things?”
Since one of Propastop's goals is to enhance people's knowledge in the field of psychological defense, we are starting a collaboration with the National Library to introduce specialized literature. In this section, RaRa's media literacy specialist Kateryna Botnar will provide a more detailed overview of a selected work, and at the end of the article,
Russian passport: a burden for the holder and a tool of oppression for the state
Today, Propastop explains how Russia initially used the distribution of its passports to create an artificial national minority, which was then used to justify wars against neighboring countries, and how, in recently occupied territories of Ukraine, this tactic has been employed to persecute local residents.
“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
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
Kersti Kaljulaid: The Kursk operation was also successful on the communication front.
Former President of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid analyzes Ukraine's successes and setbacks in communication this year in an interview with Propastop. "The communicative success of the Kursk operation may lie in the fact that Ukrainian forces are on Russian territory, and no nuclear threat has emerged," Kaljulaid notes.
Escalation of the Conflict Around the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate: Information War Heats Up
Propastop review: Orthodox believers are being frightened by rumors that the Estonian authorities are allegedly preparing to forcibly close the Estonian Orthodox Church, which is under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate.
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
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!
Television Series as a Tool in Information Warfare: Depicting China’s Invasion of Taiwan
A recently released TV series, produced with the support of the Taiwanese government, has garnered worldwide attention. It portrays the invasion of Taiwan, a country with 23 million people, by China, a nation of 1.4 billion. Taiwan's example has raised the question on Propastop: is it also reasonable for Estonia to create its own warning
Disinformation Case in England: Misinformation Sparks Nationwide Unrest
The nationwide unrest in the United Kingdom following the murder of three girls demonstrated how the spread of misinformation can trigger a political crisis. Propastop takes a closer look at the chain of events.
The Kremlin’s propaganda failed to relaunch the Narva tank
Kremlin-affiliated propaganda attempted to exploit the tank that was removed from Narva two years ago. Patriotic organizers made a considerable profit from their project, but the promised impact has once again fallen flat.
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
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
The Embassy of the Russian Federation invites Russian teachers from Estonia: Move to Mordovia!
The Russian Embassy in Tallinn has posted an offer on its Facebook page for Russian-speaking teachers from Estonia to consider employment opportunities in Mordovia, located 1,800 kilometers from Estonia. Propastop investigates the details of this offer and find out if there are any who have agreed to it.
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
Best memes reflecting situation in Kursk region
Today, Propastop dives into the situation in Russia and the Kursk region with 15 witty memes. One of the highlights? President Vladimir Putin claims Russia has no defined borders, to which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cheekily responds, "Well, if you insist!"
Harris vs. Trump: The Battle of Memes in the U.S. Presidential Race
Propastop takes you inside the heated meme war that’s erupted in the unexpectedly intense U.S. presidential race, pitting the Republican duo of Donald Trump and JD Vance against the Democratic team of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
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
How does Kremlin propaganda portray the Paris Olympics?
Propastop provides an overview of how Kremlin propaganda portrays the Paris Olympics in a situation where it is not Russia boycotting the Olympics, but the Olympic Games boycotting Russia.
Pekka Kallioniemi: Western Policymakers Underestimate Disinformation’s Scale
In his latest interview with The Baltic Sentinel, Finnish expert Pekka Kallioniemi warns we're losing the info war against Russia, China, and Iran. He reveals how Kremlin narratives spread and highlights the rise of AI in disinformation.
Which Estonians were “the favorites” of the Russian media in the first half of the year?
Propastop examined Propamon and took a closer look at what and why Russian media loves to write about when well-known Estonians are in the spotlight. Here are the top 10 most popular Estonians in Russian propaganda media.
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.
Donald Trump’s Happy Accident in 8 Viral Memes
The top event in the world last week was definitely the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. This happy accident inspired many meme creators worldwide, and Propastop today offers a small overview of their work. If you have noticed any interesting memes, please send them to Propastop at the address: [email protected]!
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.
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.
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
Russian propaganda presents the occupied Avdiivka as a great success
An analysis by the think tank Atlantic Council found that during the war in Ukraine, Russian propaganda on Telegram has been spread five times more than before the war. Therefore, Propastop is providing an overview today of how Kremlin propaganda is turning this year's modest military success into a great success story on Telegram.
Russia is increasingly conducting brainwashing attacks in Africa
Although the Russian Federation has been waging a draining war against Ukraine for the third year, our eastern neighbor has increased the organization of disinformation campaigns in Africa. It is important for Estonia to balance Russia's and China's disinformation campaigns, emphasizes Ambassador Daniel Schaer.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia announced the blocking of Propastop on Russian territory.
The Russian Foreign Ministry's recent announcement, which limits access within its territory to the websites of numerous Western publications, including Propastop's website, is a significant recognition of Propastop's years of work.
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
How Kremlin propaganda is trying to turn Poland against Ukraine
Although Poland's relations with Russia have almost never been warm, according to recent surveys, only 2% of Poles view Russia positively. This sentiment is fueled by Russian attacks, and today Propastop describes the three most significant malicious narratives that Russia directs against Poland.
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.
August Media Review: Propaganda Does Not Need a Consistent Estonia
Russian media coverage in August produced several contradictory images of Estonia at once. A frying pan seized at the Narva border became a symbol of the supposed absurdity of European sanctions policy, an interview with one family was turned into a story about a declining and Russophobic country, while defence cooperation became evidence of Estonia’s
Estonia’s presidential election in the Russian media
Propastop monitored how the Russian media covered Estonia’s presidential election during the first 24 hours.
Picture game answer: Petřín Tower in Prague
Picture game answer: Petřín Tower in Prague
Picture game: Locate the tower.
What is the name of the tower in the foreground of the solar eclipse photo, and where is it located?
Propaganda Classic: Former Estonian Resident Praises Her New Life in Russia
In early August, several Russian media outlets published stories within the space of just a few hours in which Elena, a former resident of Estonia, claimed that life in Russia was significantly better than in Estonia.
