IMI analysis: Experts employed by Russian propaganda peddle six main narratives

Illustration by the IMI

Russian propaganda actively involves pro-Kremlin experts to peddle six main narratives targeting Ukraine in the Russian media, according to a new study by Institute of Mass Information: “The experts serving Kremlin propaganda. Narratives targeting Ukraine analyzed”.

As the study shows, the Russian media's modus operandi involves continuously repeating the propaganda they have made up. This is the principle “a lie repeated a thousand times becomes the truth” applied, and the insistent repetition of the same propaganda messages (for example, about the Ukrainian authorities being "puppets" or the war having been provoked by NATO) helps integrate them into the audience’s perception of the world.

Some of these experts spread the necessary messages deliberately and are on the Kremlin's payroll, while others may simply be used by the Kremlin if their words contribute to the propaganda paradigm, the material says.

The Russian propaganda narratives peddled through experts

The IMI analysis showed that currently, the Kremlin propagandists employ experts to level the following narratives at Ukraine:

• shifting the blame for the war onto the West;
• consistent reiteration that the Ukrainian authorities are "puppets";
• criticising Trump’s plans to end the war;
• smearing Ukraine's authorities and President Zelensky personally;
• claiming that Ukraine's authorities are deliberately killing Ukrainians;
• threats about a nuclear war and other Russian weapons (such as Oreshnik).

The involvement of “experts” (regardless of their actual competence) grants more legitimacy to the Kremlin's messaging. Famous people, academics or politicians give more weight to propaganda, as the audience is always inclined to trust the words of those they consider authoritative.

“Quoting many 'experts' and repeating the same talking points over and over makes the consumer of this information believe that these opinions are generally accepted and verified. This is reinforced through the tactic of 'information cascades,' when the narrative is bolstered through different experts repeating the same talking points in different words,” the study says.