Russian Propaganda Spreads False Information About Ukraine at Italian Olympics

Russian propaganda operatives have launched a coordinated disinformation campaign targeting Ukraine during the Olympic Games in Italy, according to Ukrainian security officials. The Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), which operates under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, has identified multiple fabricated stories circulating on social media platforms, particularly Telegram.

The false narratives are carefully designed to mimic legitimate news reports from Western media outlets, creating an appearance of credibility that helps them spread more widely. Among the most prominent fabrications is a claim that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has supposedly relaxed doping control measures for Ukrainian athletes due to “psychological stress from the war” and potential use of sedatives.

“These claims are presented as the official position of international sports bodies,” the CCD stated in its report, emphasizing that no such accommodations have been made by WADA or any other Olympic authority.

Another fabricated story alleges that a Ukrainian team interpreter in Italy became the “52nd translator to flee from the delegation” in recent months. According to this false narrative, the translator supposedly “disappeared” after speaking with the press, intentionally leaving behind his phone to avoid being tracked.

The CCD has categorically dismissed both stories as complete fabrications. “WADA has not made any decisions to ease doping controls for Ukrainian athletes. Likewise, there have been no official statements about the Ukrainian delegation’s translator fleeing,” the Center explained.

Analysts at the CCD have identified a consistent pattern in how these false stories are disseminated. The fabricated claims typically originate on Russian Telegram channels before being amplified through a network of coordinated propaganda accounts across multiple platforms.

“A characteristic feature of the campaign is the imitation of television segments of Western media, intended to create the illusion of credibility for fabricated stories,” the CCD noted. The Center also pointed out that this follows a pattern of similar forgeries they have previously debunked, including a fake report claiming Ukrainian athletes were being kept in isolation during the Olympic Games.

This disinformation effort appears timed to coincide with the Olympic Games, which began on February 6. Security experts suggest the campaign represents a dual-purpose strategy: to discredit Ukrainian athletes participating in the international competition while simultaneously undermining broader European support for Ukraine.

The targeting of sporting events with disinformation is not unprecedented. Major international competitions often become focal points for information operations due to their global visibility and potential to reach diverse audiences across political divides.

Italy, as the host nation, has also reportedly faced an increase in hybrid attacks from Russian sources in the lead-up to the Games, according to media reports cited by the CCD. These activities suggest a coordinated approach to undermining both Ukraine’s international standing and the Olympic host country’s security environment.

The CCD continues to monitor social media platforms for additional fabricated stories and is working to quickly identify and debunk false narratives before they gain significant traction among international audiences.

This disinformation campaign occurs against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing military invasion of Ukraine and represents an extension of the conflict into the information domain. Security analysts have long noted that Russia employs a whole-of-government approach to warfare that includes military, economic, diplomatic, and information operations working in concert to achieve strategic objectives.