A recent study conducted by the civil society association “MOST” in North Macedonia sheds light on the presence of actors within the country who facilitate and amplify Russian influence by disseminating Kremlin’s messages.
The research, focused on the “War on Fake News” concerning the Russian aggression towards Ukraine, Russian propaganda, and the impact of disinformation in North Macedonia, involved the analysis of over 4,000 articles on various portals and 10,000 Facebook updates.
Rosana Aleksoska, an analyst from the civil society association “MOST”, emphasized that “Russian propaganda, influence, and disinformation in North Macedonia are pervasive, characterized by a high volume of channeled, repetitive, and biased messages”.
The study highlights that Russian influence operations aim to create divisions within society, erode trust in institutions and media, and instigate unrest among citizens, as underscored by analyst Aleksoska.
In the report, it was revealed that representatives of the Kremlin have a considerable presence in the online space in North Macedonia. Additionally, the study found evidence of Russian Federation-controlled media being used as sources in local media articles. Furthermore, pro-Russian messages from regional politicians, who are also aligned with Russian interests, and coordinated efforts to disseminate content on Facebook through pro-Russian channels were identified.
According to the study, Russian influence in North Macedonia is also propagated through the promotion of the so-called “Slavic orthodox brotherhood” and the exploitation of religious institutions, aimed at fostering the idea that the country has little in common with the Western world.
The ultimate goal, according to the analyst, is to cultivate resistance against the European Union and NATO through the dissemination of these narratives.
The study highlights that this objective is further advanced by the visits of Russian clerics and the dissemination of shared messages, serving as a textbook example of information operations.
The “MOST” association urges caution, as words can be utilized by the Kremlin as tools to spread disinformation.
The study underscores the significance of acknowledging the impact of malicious Russian influence in North Macedonia by all stakeholders in the country, including political parties, private sector, academia, media, and civil society. Furthermore, it calls upon the state to develop a comprehensive plan to tackle this issue effectively.
The study has been ongoing since the outset of the Russian aggression towards Ukraine, with data analysis conducted up until February of this year. The analyst warns of an online campaign aiming to raise public awareness in support of Ukraine.
The government in Skopje aligns with Brussels and Washington regarding sanctions against Moscow. However, presentations by portals disseminating disinformation and serving Russian interests in the country seem to be tolerated due to legislation allowing them the freedom of expression.
