The Influence of Anti-Western Narratives on Conservative Movements

Far-right propaganda channels on social media are increasingly echoing Kremlin-friendly narratives under the guise of “patriotism,” according to a recent analysis of political messaging trends.

One prominent example is the Telegram channel “Herqles,” which boasts over 50,000 followers and presents itself with the motto “It’s time for patriots.” Despite its patriotic branding, the channel consistently publishes content that undermines Western democratic values while portraying authoritarian regimes in a favorable light.

In a February post, the channel declared that “No one outside the decadent globalist sphere has the slightest interest in the survival of Ukraine,” describing the embattled nation as “an obstacle for European patriotic forces.” This position starkly contrasts with Ukraine’s widely recognized defensive struggle against Russian aggression, raising questions about what form of “patriotism” would advocate for the elimination of a sovereign nation defending itself.

The channel’s geopolitical positions show a clear pattern of support for authoritarian regimes aligned with Russia. When discussing Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Herqles defended Tehran’s right to develop nuclear weapons as an exercise of “full national sovereignty,” despite Iran’s history of threatening rhetoric toward Israel. This stance ignores the broader regional security implications and international non-proliferation agreements.

Perhaps most revealing is the channel’s treatment of communist regimes. China is portrayed not as an authoritarian one-party state, but as a natural ally against “Anglo-Saxons” and “American globalists.” The channel attempts to reframe Chinese communism as merely “nationalism with inherited symbolism” and “remnant symbolic communism,” effectively whitewashing its authoritarian nature to make it palatable to right-wing audiences.

This narrative manipulation extends to North Korea, where Herqles announced the dictatorship’s support for Russia in Ukraine without using terms like “dictatorship” or “communist.” Instead, it blandly reported that “North Korea’s ruling party unanimously re-elects Kim Jong-un as its general secretary,” avoiding any mention of the regime’s human rights abuses or totalitarian nature.

Media analysts note that this type of propaganda represents a significant shift in disinformation tactics. While anti-Western narratives have historically been associated with far-left messaging, similar themes are now being repackaged to appeal to right-wing audiences, creating what some observers call a horseshoe effect in political extremism.

The contradiction becomes particularly evident in the channel’s treatment of Venezuela. Despite the Maduro regime’s close alliance with Russia, Herqles criticizes it as a “Bolivarian narco-dictatorship” that has “blockaded the Latin American region for decades in favor of Anglo internationalism”—a claim that attempts to reconcile support for Russia with criticism of its allies.

This emerging pattern of pro-Russian, pro-authoritarian messaging disguised as right-wing patriotism represents a sophisticated evolution in political disinformation. By appropriating patriotic language and selectively applying criticism, these channels create a worldview that consistently undermines Western democratic institutions while portraying Russia and its allies as defenders against “globalism.”

Security experts warn that such messaging, which reaches tens of thousands of followers, may contribute to political polarization in Western democracies and weaken public support for Ukraine and other frontline states facing authoritarian pressure. The blurring of traditional political lines around support for democracy versus authoritarianism presents a growing challenge for those working to counter disinformation.