The Russian propaganda is much less professional compared to the Western one, and really badly done. I was watching the meeting of the Security Council of Russia where they one by one asked Putin to recognize the LDNR — this is embarrassing. There is absolutely nothing sophisticated in the Russian propaganda, it is surprisingly bad.

Don't be naive. Russian troll-farms have been established for almost a decade and have become a separate industry which has had a massive influence on shaping public opinion in the west and impacting election outcomes in the UK, US and eastern European elections. You need to differentiate between a setup made purely for internal use in Russia (like the example you gave) and setups targeted at western audiences. If anything, the Russians are probably at the forefront right now in terms of propaganda.

The problem is Ukraine, goaded on by the West, poked the bear and are now finding out that the West doesn’t actually care about them much at all other than to use them.

Where is Joe Biden now?
https://twitter.com/whatgives1313/st...83819818061825

Whaaaaaa? No.

Russia encourages internet hacking, online financial scams (completely legal provided that those ripped off are outside of Russia), trolling (there’s a few here that fit the profile, EF would be wise to remove them), and has been proven to manipulate polling and media to influence elections.

I’m not saying other countries don’t do things of this sort, but Russia certainly has propaganda and other methods of steering things their way.

The ones you are referring to here on EF are the sadder version: they are true believers and are not even paid

So this is the Ukraine’s and Joe Biden’s fault? Wheeeeeew.

Абсолютно верно, товарищ.

Either way, I’m surprised that the site tolerates them.

maybe they had to invade as sergei accidentally gave away the game plan:

How did they poak the bear?

Goes back to a joke which I think I posted here

Russia: If Ukraine targets even one Russian we will respond forcefully to defend our compatriots!

*Ukraine doing nothing*

Russia: Damn, we have to do it ourselves then

Live stream news of the situation in Ukraine

Following this mornings developments in Ukraine the UK defence journal has been carrying live updates of the fighting in Ukraine.

LIVE UPDATES - The Russian invasion of Ukraine by the UK Defence journal

Well, you are also exposed to the Russian or Chinese anti-West propaganda but I totally agree with the second part of your post.

Rich Russians with dubious income streams having been buying up London for decades and throughout the rule of various government.

I believe Abramovich, currently experiencing sanctions under the current government, bought Chelsea football club when Tony Blair* was in power.


*You may remember him. The U.K. sent its soldiers into war based on a pack of lies under his government.

The invasion in Ukraine, in contrast, is very real.

This is quite amusing, and shows how things are staged with about as much sophistication as as a 70s sitcom (or "Get Smart" for those old enough to remember).

https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/...23-p59yu3.html

A small correction: Abramovich was never sanctioned, at least not until now. He would have been unable to reside in the UK if he was. There was a separate drama with him, the UK and Switzerland when his UK visa expired and was not renewed, he applied for Swiss residence which was denied or he withdrew it, don't remember and is now back in the UK with his Israeli passport with which he doesn't need a visa for the UK.

Of course. It's all the West's fault. Just like women who get beaten by their spouses provoked them. Poor Putin. He had no choice to invade after Ukraine said nasty things.

I believe "currently" has the same meaning, in this context at least, as "now".

Europe will never learn! I mean really? SWIFT exclusion is off the table? Oil, gas and grain sanctions coupled with SWIFT exclusion would have turned Russia into a very different country in less than a year. This is so short-sighted, it's truly annoying. What needs to happen for Brussels to wake up?

https://www.reuters.com/business/fin...ay-2022-02-24/

They are awoken and tending to their interests.
For example when Olaf Scholz visited US just a few weeks ago, the Nord Stream 2 wasn't even on the table for him.
https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-...rd-2022-02-07/

If Western Europe were serious about countering Russia, they would have acted weeks if not months ago.

Nope. He had no choice after Ukraine did dangerous things