Foreign Malign Influencers
•30 days
32 sources in Foreign Malign Influencers are amplifying 125 narrative items relating to the narrative of the ongoing conflict in Luhansk. These narratives illustrate the military actions and humanitarian crises resulting from Russian occupation, highlighting Ukrainian resistance, the formation of local enforcement squads, and the dire living conditions faced by residents.
Reviewing a number of the most relevant narrative items indicates that media sources have varied portrayals of the recent events in Luhansk. UkrInform presents the Ukrainian military's actions with a positive light, emphasizing their strategic successes against Russian forces through language suggesting progress and efficiency. Conversely, coverage of Russia's formation of "people's volunteer squads" tends to adopt a neutral tone but includes terms like "enforce control," which may evoke a negative perception of the Russian presence. The Kyiv Post's focus on the Lviv museum portrays a sense of resilience and national pride, highlighting the bravery of Ukrainian soldiers, while employing emotionally charged language to connect readers to the human aspect of war. In stark contrast, reports about the dire humanitarian conditions in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, particularly from UkrInform and Ukraine Today, reveal a negative depiction of the situation, utilizing stark phrases like "Russian outback," which emphasizes neglect and hardship. Across these sources, signs of bias appear mostly in framing; for instance, UkrInform's consistent emphasis on Ukrainian success can skew perceptions favorably, while KHPG's coverage of judicial abuses under Russian rule depicts a system of oppression, aligning with a critical narrative. The juxtaposition of the optimistic portrayal of Ukrainian actions and the distressing account of life under Russian control exemplifies the competing narratives in the coverage of this conflict.
The Foreign Malign Influencers module tracks thousands of media organizations and individuals known to advance narratives that favor Russian, Chinese, Iranian, and similar interests.