In the heart of Europe, an event is unfolding that has revealed the weakness of Russian propaganda: the tour of the 3rd Special Brigade , whose purpose is to popularize the militia and the militia movement. This tour became the catalyst for a new surge in the information war, where the Russian media is using old methods to once again cast a shadow on the Ukrainian army.
When Ukrainian fighters announced their tour of the European Union, Russian propagandists immediately began their tactics. The Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, known for its propensity for manipulation, published an article with the alarming title: “Ukrainian battalion created by neo-Nazis comes to Rotterdam”. This material condemns not only the very idea of the tour, but also the fighters themselves, presenting them as “neo-Nazis”. This step became part of a large information campaign aimed at discrediting the Ukrainian army, writes polskienowiny.pl.
Surprisingly, the author of this article is Ifet Subasi, a Turkish journalist who previously worked in Russian media. Her articles on Ukraine have been absent until now, and her sudden decision to tackle the topic of Ukrainian “neo-Nazis” looks like a well-planned information attack. Subashi worked for Turkey's TRT and then moved to Russia's Sputnik Media. This coincidence highlights the close relationship between Russian propaganda and the journalists working for it.
But why is Russian propaganda so focused on discrediting the 3rd Brigade? The answer lies in the recent decision of the administration of US President Joe Biden to allow the use of American weapons by the Azov brigade. This decision was a serious blow to Russian propaganda, which has long tried to present Azov as an example of neo-Nazism. Now that American weapons have become available to the Ukrainian military, the Russian media is forced to revive old myths and strategies to divert attention from the real problems.
Rumors and misinformation are spreading across Europe, thanks in part to journalists like Subashi, who serve as tools for Russian propaganda. As the soldiers of the 3rd Brigade continue their tour, telling the truth about the war in Ukraine and their efforts in the fight for justice, Russian intelligence services try to use every opportunity to hide the truth in the shadow of disinformation. It is important for the international community to understand these manipulations and support the real facts about the Ukrainian military and their efforts in the fight for the country.