After @DFRLab discovered a small inauthentic network on @facebook promoting posts critical of Western sanctions against #Russia, an independent @Meta investigation revealed a larger network of 2300+ assets promoting Kremlin interests across Europe. 🧵⬇️ medium.com/dfrlab/russia-…
@facebook@Meta .@Meta concluded the network originated from #Russia. @DFRLab noticed several indicators of previous Russian influence ops including the amplification of pro-Kremlin narratives, paid promotion, inaccurate and non-native grammar; impersonating real people/institutions, and more.
@facebook@Meta .@DFRLab first ID'ed the network with a page called 'Winsome wc5.' The page categorized itself as a restaurant and used the logo of German media outlet Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung for its profile pic. Its sole post called for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline's implementation.
One of the biggest tools at our team’s disposal was our ability to quickly and effectively geolocate Russian equipment as it moved across #Russia to its border with #Ukraine and into #Belarus last January. atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atla…
@kentonthibaut The #CCP’s goal is to create an alternative global order with #China at its heart, and to push a digital model where state sovereignty overrules civil liberties and human rights are subordinate to state security. @kentonthibaut explains:
@kentonthibaut#China believes that the West, esp. the US, is able to exert global dominance because they possess “discourse power” (话语权): a type of narrative agenda-setting focused on reshaping global governance, values, and norms to legitimize and facilitate the expression of state power.
.@laylamashkoor notes that a standardized code of ethics doesn’t exist for OSINT researchers the way it does for lawyers, doctors, etc. Because of that, she says, it’s important for the community to discuss and debate these issues together and strive for high standards.
@NATO In May, Belarusian President #Lukashenka ordered the creation of a military command center in southern #Belarus on #Ukraine's border. On June 2, videos of Belarusian equipment, including anti-aircraft missiles, being transported via rail appeared online.
@NATO Veterans Today, a US-based site known to circulate antisemitic and conspiratorial content, published an article implying NATO officers were killed in #Mariupol. Pro-Kremlin media outlets in Russia quickly amplified the article from which it spread on #Telegram.
🛩️ Geolocating drone footage of a failed Russian crossing
🇵🇱 A forged letter about #Poland, again
🇺🇸 Pro-Kremlin sources misrepresent US aid to Ukraine
🇱🇻 Flower removal from memorial in #Lativa sparks tensions
On May 11, Ukrainian forces successfully destroyed a Russian unit trying to cross the strategically important river of Siversky Donets in the #Donbas region. @DFRLab confirmed the genuine nature of the @DefenceU’s photos.
@DefenceU In one estimation, #Ukraine destroyed a Russian pontoon bridge and least 6 tanks, 14 BMP armored vehicles, 7 MT-LB amphibious vehicles, a tugboat and 5 other armored vehicles. A separate calculation by @Blue_Sauron showed 73 pieces of Russian equipment destroyed or abandoned.