How effective are Russian disinformation networks in misleading public on EU elections , DW News

Efforts to counter Russian disinformation are moving into overdrive in the remaining days before the European Parliament elections. In January, the German government said it had uncovered a coordinated Russian disinformation campaign on X, formerly Twitter. Before it was shut down, the campaign had distributed more than a million messages through fake accounts, pushing false or misleading narratives, such as that aid to wartorn Ukraine was neglecting local citizens. By spreading such messages in large numbers on online platforms, some experts critical of these socalled hybrid warfare networks argue that Russia aims to maximize its visibility and foster a sense of legitimacy. The alleged goal is to widen social divides, fuel anger, and sow distrust in democratic processes and the media. A multipronged approach is needed to counter hybrid warfare, experts agree. Countries must ensure that their critical infrastructure, including voting technology, is adequately protected against cyberattacks. , hy