Fake European crises and real Russian failures

KEY EVENTS:

• FIMI outlets claimed that Europe is facing sharp economic decline
• Pro-Kremlin narratives promoted the narrative that EU intends to spy on its citizens
• FIMI messaging accused Europe of reviving Nazism

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

In the lead-up to Victory Day on 9 May, pro-Kremlin FIMI channels have again pushed claims that Europe is “reviving Nazism”, that Europe could face food rationing, and that the EU’s age verification app is a surveillance tool. Together, these disinformation narratives try to show Europe as morally corrupt, unstable, and authoritarian.

The claim about the age verification app is especially cynical. The EU tool is meant to help protect minors online, but pro-Kremlin voices present it as mass surveillance. At the same time, Russia is rolling out Max, an Orwellian style state-controlled “super app” that could bring messaging, payments, digital ID functions, and government services under Kremlin control.

These disinformation narratives come at a time when Russia’s own image of strength is under pressure. This year’s Victory Day parade is expected to be smaller than last year’s, with fewer confirmed foreign guests and a reduced military display. Russia’s security image is also weakening outside Europe, as Africa Corps, formerly Wagner PMC, has retreated from parts of Mali after new attacks by armed groups. This exposes the gap between Moscow’s promises of stability and the worsening security situation on the ground.

MAIN FIMI NARRATIVES BEING SPREAD:

‘European countries are persistently trying to revive Nazism’

FIMI narratives accusing Europe of reviving or promoting Nazism have long been a staple of Kremlin messaging, linking its current confrontation with the West to Russia’s fight against Nazism during World War II – a central pillar of its national myth that portrays the Soviet Union as the sole force responsible for defeating Adolf Hitler, distorting history for propaganda purposes.

In Kremlin-speak, anyone who opposes the official line is labelled a “Nazi” – as seen in the widespread trope of “Nazi Ukraine.” By labelling its opponents as “Nazis”, Russia aims to delegitimise opposition to its war against Ukraine and to hide the fact that there’s no credible justification for its aggression.

In modern Russia, victory in World War II has become central to a militarised “victory cult” perpetuated by the Kremlin. Victory Day, celebrated on May 9, has become its most important national holiday and serves as a key symbol of Russia as a great military power that saved the world from fascism. It is therefore no surprise that claims about Nazism being revived in Europe intensify in the lead-up to May 9, despite having no basis in reality, as Nazi ideology remains banned across Europe.

This false claim was made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and amplified by local disinformation outlets in Armenia.

‘The European Central Bank does not rule out food rationing in the continent’

FIMI outlets continue to exploit rising energy prices and supply uncertainty caused by the conflict in the Middle East to reinforce the narrative that Europe is on a path toward decline because of its decision to abandon Russia as an energy supplier. The false claim that Europe may have to face food rationing stems from a distorted statement by European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde, who was in fact referring to the global impact of energy market disruptions and mentioned the possibility of fuel rationing, not food shortages.

This narrative uses two common disinformation tactics: it taps into existing anxieties about rising prices and economic stability, pushing them further into an exaggerated conclusion, and cites a credible Western source but twists the content to inject pro-Kremlin messaging.

This false claim appeared on Sputnik Mundo, a Spanish-language version of the Russian state propaganda outlet.

‘EU’s new age verification app is designed for surveillance’

Claims that the EU’s recently unveiled age verification app, designed to protect minors from harmful content and interactions online, is in fact a surveillance tool are unfounded conspiracy theories, amplified by Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who frequently promotes disinformation narratives targeting European governments.

Pro-Kremlin FIMI consistently portrays the EU as an authoritarian bloc that censors dissenting information and spies on its citizens. The aim is to convince audiences that genuine freedom of speech doesn’t exist in the West, and that any claims to the contrary are hypocritical – an assertion that is itself ironic given that Russia jails people for describing its aggression against Ukraine as a “war” and persistently ranks as one of the worst countries in the world for press freedom.

This false claim was amplified by RT International, an English-language version of the Russian state propaganda outlet.

Don’t be deceived.