Imagine a shadowy war being waged not with bullets and bombs, but with whispers and distorted truths. That’s essentially what a network of analysts from ten countries across Europe and Latin America have been tracking as part of the ATAFIMI project, and their latest report, covering the first three months of 2026, paints a vivid picture of how cleverly and relentlessly Russia is trying to manipulate public opinion globally. It’s a fascinating look at the tactics used to sow discord, promote an image of Russia as a world savior, and systematically tear down trust in Ukraine and Western nations.
This isn’t just about simple lies anymore; it’s about taking real-world events – like the buzz around the Epstein files, the escalating tensions in the Middle East, a global sporting event like the Winter Olympics, or even the (false) news of a leader’s capture like Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro – and twist them into narratives that serve a specific agenda. The goal is two-fold: to damage the reputation of Ukraine and its government, and to make Russia look good. What’s particularly striking is the emergence of genuinely cruel, AI-generated content designed to humiliate Ukrainian figures, a new low in the information warfare playbook. Beyond that, the report highlights sophisticated tactics like tailoring content for different audiences, ensuring the message hits home, no matter where you are.
One of the most potent examples of this manipulation was the opportunistic use of the Epstein files. When those documents became public, they were immediately weaponized. On TikTok, for instance, videos claiming Vladimir Putin had “rescued” Ukrainian children from some dark network amassed millions of views. Simultaneously, the files were used to revive old, debunked claims about Ukrainian “biolaboratories” or to falsely implicate President Zelensky in child trafficking, even going as far as fabricating images of him with Epstein. It’s like a master storyteller taking a real, emotionally charged event and weaving a sinister, false tale around it, leaving a trail of doubt and suspicion. Similarly, the conflicts in the Middle East were twisted to portray Russia as a strategic ally against the West, with bizarre conspiracy theories, like Russia seizing “adrenochrome” from an Israeli ship heading to Hollywood, popping up to demonize Western powers.
The report reveals a pattern of adapting existing narratives to new situations. Even events like the Winter Olympics became a stage for portraying Ukraine in a negative light, with fake claims about Ukrainian athletes being ostracized, or manipulated images of a Ukrainian athlete with terrorist symbolism. And the (false) capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela was a perfect storm for generating “information chaos,” with images and videos being doctored to create polarizing stories – from depicting Venezuela’s first lady with fake injuries to AI-generated videos showing Venezuelans crying over Maduro’s arrest. What’s becoming increasingly common is the use of AI to create laughably fake but damaging content – like a supposed Ukrainian official speaking Russian while advocating for Ukrainian, or an overweight soldier complaining about food shortages – all designed to make Ukrainian representatives look ridiculous and undermine their credibility.
Beyond these event-driven tactics, some narratives are simply recycled and repackaged. Personal attacks against Zelensky, accusing him of corruption or hidden loyalties, are a constant. Claims that he bought shares in AstraZeneca with EU funds or holds Israeli citizenship continue to circulate. The idea that Ukraine stages its tragedies, like the Bucha massacre, is another persistent lie. Interestingly, in places like Mexico and Colombia, even positive news about Russia is used as a veiled attack on the West, with claims about a “free Russian cancer vaccine” implying that Western interests are blocking such a miracle cure from reaching the world. Another deeply disturbing and persistent narrative revolves around the alleged diversion of Western weapons intended for Ukraine, with false claims of them ending up in the hands of Mexican cartels or illicit markets in Gulf countries, further eroding support for Ukraine.
The report also drills down into country-specific trends, revealing how these global narratives are tailored to local contexts. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russian media exploited historical grievances and identity disputes to fuel polarization. In Serbia, pro-Russian messages, like Russia delivering weapons to Iran, gained significant traction. Georgia saw viral Facebook posts amplifying disinformation about Ukrainian corruption, using fake stories about golden wheelchairs and AI-generated videos of soldiers. Lithuania experienced a blend of mockery aimed at Ukrainian soldiers and attempts to drive a wedge between Ukraine and its European allies. In Ukraine itself, there’s a disturbing trend of deepfakes and fabricated videos impersonating major international news outlets – Euronews, Al Jazeera, AFP – to spread fake news designed to make Ukrainians look like a public safety threat. Even in Spain, Russian disinformation actors exploited high-profile national news, like a case of euthanasia, to push narratives that portray the government as prioritizing immigrants over its own citizens.
In Latin America, Argentina saw a surge in content linking Ukraine to child trafficking, while also uncovering a Russian campaign to influence media and discredit the country’s government. Colombia was targeted with content aiming to paint Russia as a noble international ally, contrasting Putin with a hypocritical West, even suggesting he demanded an investigation into Bill Gates’s alleged COVID-19 vaccine monopoly following the Epstein files. Mexico was hit with claims about Ukrainian “Baba Yaga” drones being seized from cartels, further tying Ukraine to organized crime, and saw widespread circulation of content related to the fake capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Perhaps one of the most intriguing shifts observed was in Venezuela. After the (false) news of Maduro’s capture, many informal, anonymous, and decentralized pro-Russian accounts either stopped posting or deleted their content. This suggests a strategic retreat, with pro-Russian narratives now almost exclusively concentrated in state-run or government-affiliated media. It means the “shadowy war” is becoming more centralized and controlled, indicating a careful calculation of risk by those involved. This entire report is a stark reminder that in our interconnected world, information is a powerful weapon, and understanding how it’s being manipulated is crucial for navigating the complex geopolitical landscape.