NAFO works – a fella shares his experience combating propaganda online

NAFO are its dedicated members, affectionately known as “fellas,” who tirelessly battle Russian disinformation daily. Probably, no one has encountered more interactions with vatniks than them. Estonian NAFO fella Jaanus is an online fighter against propaganda, working tirelessly to debunk falsehoods and promote truth in the digital sphere. His efforts are instrumental in countering the spread of Kremlin narratives online. 
In our recent discussion, Propastop sat down with Jaanus to delve into their experiences combating disinformation online. Jaanus shared insights into their journey so far and the challenges they’ve encountered in their battle against false narratives.

Rainer Saks: In the information war, a stalemate persists between Ukraine and Russia.

War blogger and former head of foreign intelligence Rainer Saks says in an interview with Propastop: Russia does not currently have great military enthusiasm, although a lot of patriotic shows are being made. Ukraine’s first serious problem is the inability to explain the necessity of additional mobilization. The presidential elections paralyzed US security policy, weakening the country’s role as a global leader.

History: Russian desinformation Operation about the March bombing of Narva

The Estonian History Museum collection houses the so-called Nuremberg Trials album, containing images captured in Narva at the end and aftermath of World War II, depicting destroyed buildings. These were presented by the Soviet authorities as ‘evidence’ of German atrocities.

Lake NATO: Russia’s reactions in words and actions

On Monday, February 24, the Hungarian parliament approved Sweden’s accession to NATO, marking a historic turning point for the Nordic country, which maintained its neutrality during two world wars and the Cold War.

How has Russia reacted to the claim that the Baltic Sea has effectively become an internal NATO sea?

Putin’s red lines – from blurred to non-existent

Since February 24, 2024, breaching a “red line” symbolizes actions detrimental to Russian interests, often in response to measures such as sanctions and military aid. In 2023, Russia cut official “red line” statements from 24 to 15. Let’s examine notable red lines drawn by President Putin in the past two years and assess their effectiveness.

OpenAI’s Video Generator Sora: Unveiling New Avenues for Propaganda

The newly introduced video generation tool from OpenAI, Sora, has the capability to produce brief videos lasting up to one minute by utilizing user-provided descriptions. This functionality mirrors the way ChatGPT generates written responses and DALL-E produces images. The implications of such technology on propaganda, however, raise questions about its potential impact and influence in shaping narratives.

Telegram.ee spreads misinformation about the plan to send reservists to the war in Ukraine

The Estonian Defense Forces reject misinformation spread by the portal Telegram.ee on February 16, claiming that the military is considering sending reservists to the frontlines in Ukraine.

Expert study predicts intensification of Kremlin information influence activities

New study by Estonian Academy of Security Sciences experts explores potential security impacts of Russia’s actions on Estonia. Four scenarios outlined with insights into potential societal safety effects. Propastop offers a concise summary of key findings and conclusions.

Ukrainian NGO framed as a kill-list by Russian propaganda

After Tucker Carlson’s interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, several Trump supporters and Russian media outlets have asserted that Carlson is being added to a Ukrainian kill-list, citing the Ukrainian website Myrotvorets. However, a question arises: is Myrotvorets an actual kill-list, or is it presented as one through propaganda? Propastop takes a closer look.

Review of Russian Propaganda in January 2024

In January 2024, President Zelensky’s visit to the Baltic States took center stage in the geopolitical arena, drawing considerable attention from major Russian propaganda outlets. This compilation unravels the diverse narratives propagated by Russian sources, ranging from accusations of scaremongering to claims of safeguarding Europe from Ukrainian threats.