Russia increasingly using disinformation in Africa DW 02/03/2025
Briefly

An image falsely depicting Moscow’s skyline was actually taken in Dubai, emphasizing the ease of spreading disinformation on platforms like Facebook, particularly by pro-Russian accounts. The account behind the post, linked to the name Vladimir Poutine and operating from Burundi, has over 180,000 followers. The revelation of this misrepresentation aligns with broader observations of Russia's increasing influence in Africa, where a recent report demonstrated that Russia is the primary source of state-sponsored disinformation campaigns, significantly outpacing other countries. As such, analyzing sources of information online remains crucial.
An image depicting Moscow’s skyline was actually taken in Dubai, revealing how disinformation spreads on social media, masquerading as credible news by pro-Russian accounts.
The account showcasing the false image of Moscow operates from Burundi and has gained over 180,000 followers, complicating the identification of disinformation sources.
While some posts on these platforms are obvious lies, others convey subtle messages, as Russia aims to project a positive image in influential African countries.
A report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies found that Russia leads state-sponsored disinformation campaigns in Africa, with 80 out of nearly 200 identified as Russian.
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