Thread by @DietmarPichler1

Russia's "useful idiots" and agents of influence in the West: some are paid, some are just radicals, and some are looking for fame. They speak about "peace" often, but they don't mean it.

Here are five categories of them🧵

Formerly respected academics: They often have a nostalgic soft spot for the Soviet Union but hate the West and NATO, which they criticize harshly (instead of Russia)

For them, it is not a problem to give interviews to propaganda channels and to visit the most obscure conferences

These academics can be particularly useful for Russian propaganda and lobbying because they still have an influence on public opinion and even government decisions in some cases. They are also invited to mainstream media for the (false) balanced view...

Far-right politicians: their (fake) patriotism aligns with the Kremlin's interests in opposing those defending democracy and international law. In return for sharing pro-Russian talking points, they expect troll farm boosts during elections.

Far left (tankies): USSR nostalgia, combined with anti-American & anti-Western sentiments, strongly motivates them to "understand Russia" and "oppose Western warmongers"

A mix of openly pro-Russian individuals, 🇷🇺apologists, and practitioners of bothsidesism/whataboutism

Conspiracy theorists/publicists of "anti-mainstream" news: "the moon landing was fake, airplanes spray chemicals to control our minds, and, indeed, Putin is actually a nice guy." For them, it is the Western conspiracy against poor Russia that is responsible for all the mess...

Last but not least, the fake peace movement: "We (the West) need to disarm, Ukraine needs to give in, and Russia was provoked". They also refuse to mention the 🇷🇺crimes during occupation because it does not fit their narrative of "peace at all costs."

At their conferences, they have no limits regarding the guests they invite. Long-time pro-Russian activists, people with connections to the FSB, and frequent guests on Russia Today—no problem.

Anyone who criticizes this is labeled a "warmonger."

Bonus: Former celebrities, whose careers are at their lowest point, eagerly sell themselves to the dictator. Why can't they be the "main act" at a shopping mall opening? It's still better than serving the war criminal Putin.

What I forgot to mention: These groups sometimes overlap, but even if some oppose each other, they cooperate in defending Russia and condemning Ukraine. I have even seen far-left individuals praise the far-right for their position on Russia and "political neutrality."