Russia Launches New Strategy to Influence European Minds
Russia has launched a revamped information strategy in early 2025, reformatting existing media infrastructure to build shadow propaganda platforms targeting European audiences, The Gaze reports, citing Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine..
This approach centers on reanimating and restructuring established entities—Russia Today (RT), Sputnik, the Dialogue internet communications center, the multilingual “International Reporters” platform, and a covert network of online trolls, pseudo-experts, and foreign influence agents.
The cornerstone of the effort is RT, which has pivoted toward creating unbranded, internet-native “guerrilla” media projects. These operate predominantly via platforms where Russian presence remains viable—Telegram, YouTube (via newly created accounts), Rumble, and X (formerly Twitter), which remains blocked in Russia but accessible abroad.
After RT was banned in the EU, UK, and the U.S., the Kremlin responded by increasing investment in these concealed operations. In 2025 alone, Russia allocated 31.1 billion rubles to support RT’s managing structure, with a clear emphasis on launching untraceable media abroad. These projects intentionally mask any affiliation with RT or the Russian state, using AI tools, messaging apps, and social media to spread content.
Outside of Europe, the Kremlin is expanding its operations in the Global South, especially through traditional media. One example is Ghaf TV Productions, a Middle Eastern outlet staffed by former RT personnel. Another is Viory, a new “independent” media company that avoids disclosing its ties to Russia. Viory previously operated under the Ruptly brand in Berlin before it was sanctioned in the West.
This evolving model marks a strategic shift from overt state messaging to the covert dissemination of narratives under the guise of grassroots journalism.
Read more on The Gaze: Behind the Curtain: How Russia’s Propaganda Targets the Heart of Europe