08 February 2023 , 16:21
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Facebook content justifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine made by disinformation trolls has been viewed more than 1.2billion times globally, sources have warned.
Western officials are monitoring the countries where the dangerous messages are gaining more interest.
A source said the propaganda is "low quality" but could threaten UK national security if harmful narratives are amplified by other leaders around the world.
An official said Russian internet trolls based in St Petersburg are targeting content on Ukraine but also posts related to “controversial issues” in other countries.
They said trolling is particularly a problem on Instagram, Facebook and parts of YouTube and Twitter.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses parliamentarians in Westminster Hall (PA)The comment sections of newspaper sites are also targeted.
Western officials said: “It's designed to distract audiences from the truth of the atrocities that have taken place in Ukraine and also to fuel conspiracy theories.”
They said Russian disinformation tactics have historically “tried to split elements of society against each other or split countries from each other”.
Officials are keeping “a very close eye” and working “to counter” narratives in some countries where there are “mixed” views on Russia ’s invasion.
Sources said attempts “to split Ukrainians against each other” have “failed”.
“It's only managed to bring them all together,” they said.
“Russia's goal here is to break the Ukrainian will to resist. It's absolutely failed on every conceivable measure,” they said.
The warnings on disinformation came as both sides gear up for an expected Spring offensive as the first anniversary of Moscow’s invasion looms on February 24.
Western officials said: “Our Ukrainian colleagues now describe what's happening in information manipulation as information trench warfare, again mirroring the language around the war on the ground.”
In an address to Parliament on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said victory against Russia will deter aggressors around the world.
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The wartime leader told parliamentarians gathered in Westminster Hall: "We know freedom will win. We know Russia will lose.
"And we really know that the victory will change the world and this will be a change that the world has long needed.”