Russia is trying to circumvent sanctions and restrictions in order to distribute its media products and maintain its influence over European audiences. In particular, screenings of Russian documentary films are being held in EU countries.
This is reported by the Centre for Countering Disinformation.
The CCD drew attention to a video by Russian propagandist Margarita Simonyan about “underground screenings” of documentary films in Italy. According to her, more than 200 such events have taken place in Milan and other cities.
As the CCD notes, during some screenings Soviet symbols were used and the USSR anthem was played. In the centre’s assessment, through such events Russia is trying to spread its narratives and build communities loyal to it in EU countries.
The CCD believes that the Russian Federation is using cultural and media events to promote the narrative that Russia is supposedly not an enemy, as well as to influence Europeans’ attitudes towards supporting Ukraine.
The centre is urging European governments to pay attention to such events and step up efforts to counter Russian information influence.