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Pro-Kremlin Disinformation Network Gains Legitimacy Through Widespread Citation
Hundreds of English-language websites spanning mainstream news outlets to fringe blogs are inadvertently amplifying Russian disinformation by linking to content from a pro-Kremlin network, according to a new study by the London-based Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD).
The research found that over 80% of citations analyzed treated the so-called “Pravda network” as a credible source, effectively legitimizing its narratives and boosting its visibility online. The French government identified this disinformation operation last year, but its influence continues to grow.
Security experts warn that by linking to these articles, even when disputing them, websites are increasing the chances that search engines and artificial intelligence systems will surface this content. This raises particular concerns about what experts call “LLM grooming” – the process of feeding large language models like ChatGPT and Gemini with substantial volumes of disinformation to influence their responses.
“The Pravda network has been expanding pretty rapidly over the past year,” said Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation expert who recently testified before the UK parliament on threats to democracy. “They are targeting a lot of different languages. They want to have a presence across a bunch of different countries.”
While the network has existed since 2014, researchers tracking its output have documented an alarming surge in content production this year. In May alone, the network published up to 23,000 articles daily – nearly quadruple the approximately 6,000 daily articles produced earlier in 2024. This dramatic increase suggests a deliberate strategy to flood the information space.
The operation now appears focused on reaching a global audience, with targeted content for countries across Asia and Africa, in addition to Europe. This expansion indicates a sophisticated, well-resourced effort to shape international narratives beyond Russia’s immediate sphere of influence.
Some disinformation experts believe this content surge represents a calculated attempt to push pro-Russia material into the training datasets of artificial intelligence models, which scrape massive amounts of data from across the internet. Studies from earlier this year revealed concerning evidence that popular AI chatbots occasionally repeated Russian disinformation when responding to specific queries – including false claims about U.S. bioweapons in Ukraine or French mercenaries in Kyiv.
“More than any other Russia-aligned operation, the Pravda network is playing a numbers game,” explained Joseph Bodnar, a senior researcher at the ISD. “They’ve saturated the internet ecosystem enough to get in front of real people who are doing research on Russia-related issues.”
The ISD’s analysis revealed that 40% of Pravda network content cited by mainstream websites related to Russia’s war in Ukraine. However, the remaining 60% covered diverse topics including U.S. domestic policy and business figures like Elon Musk. This diversification strategy helps integrate the network’s content into broader conversations beyond geopolitics.
“This happened to a lot of different reputable sources and a lot less reputable sources too, like people from across the ideological spectrum. It really touched every part of the web that we could find,” Bodnar noted.
The growing legitimacy of the Pravda network poses particular challenges as media attention on Ukraine fluctuates. Jankowicz warns that the network could “usurp coverage” on Ukraine as mainstream outlets shift their focus elsewhere.
“There’s a bit less news about Ukraine. And if they can get in there and fill that gap really soon, that means that the Russian viewpoint is the one that’s going to get out there quickly and be cited in large language models,” she cautioned.
For news consumers and publishers alike, this research highlights the importance of scrutinizing sources, particularly on geopolitical topics where sophisticated influence operations are actively working to shape global narratives. As disinformation tactics evolve to exploit new technologies and information ecosystems, the challenge of identifying and countering these efforts becomes increasingly complex.
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12 Comments
The potential for large language models to be ‘groomed’ with disinformation is a real worry. This highlights the need for rigorous AI safety measures and transparency around the data used to train these systems.
You’re right, this is a serious risk that deserves urgent attention. Responsible development of AI requires safeguards against malicious actors trying to influence model outputs.
This is a worrying trend that highlights the challenges of combating online disinformation. Even well-intentioned efforts to debunk propaganda can end up amplifying it. We need a multifaceted approach to address this issue.
Absolutely. Fact-checking, media literacy education, and platform accountability will all be crucial in the fight against the spread of disinformation online.
As someone who follows mining and commodities news, I’m concerned about the spread of pro-Kremlin propaganda in this space. It’s critical that we maintain a clear distinction between credible, fact-based reporting and disinformation campaigns.
I share your concern. Misinformation in the mining and energy sectors could have real-world impacts, so we must be vigilant in identifying and countering these deceptive narratives.
The Pravda network seems to be using a sophisticated strategy to gain legitimacy through widespread citations. This underscores the need for rigorous source verification and fact-checking, especially on topics related to the war in Ukraine.
Absolutely. Journalists and online publishers must be extremely careful not to inadvertently lend credibility to disinformation campaigns, even if their intent is to challenge them.
While it’s concerning to see the growth of this pro-Kremlin disinformation network, I’m glad the research is shedding light on this issue. Raising awareness is an important first step in combating the spread of propaganda online.
Agreed. Increased transparency around these deceptive tactics is crucial, so that readers can be more discerning about the sources they engage with.
This is quite concerning. Linking to disinformation, even inadvertently, can have serious consequences by boosting its visibility and credibility. We need to be extremely cautious about the sources we cite, especially on sensitive geopolitical issues.
I agree. Even well-intentioned efforts to debunk or dispute propaganda can end up amplifying it. Vigilance is crucial to prevent the spread of disinformation.