The EU will create a Center for Countering Russian Disinformation
9 November 09:15
The EU authorities are planning to create a Center for Democratic Resilience to combat disinformation from Russia and other authoritarian regimes.
This was reported by The Guardian, citing an internal document of the European Commission, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The new center will be part of the Democracy Shield initiative proposed by EC President Ursula von der Leyen and will coordinate the exchange of information and raise public awareness of foreign governments’ attempts to manipulate information.
The project states that Russia, in addition to waging war against Ukraine, is actively using hybrid attacks against Europe.
“By spreading false information, sometimes including manipulation and falsification of historical facts, Russia is trying to undermine confidence in democratic systems,” The Guardian quoted the draft document as saying.
The European Commission intends to bring together experts from all EU countries, as well as countries seeking to join the bloc, within the center. Participation in the organization will be voluntary. The EC also allows for the possibility of “like-minded partners” joining, which, according to the publication, makes it possible for the UK to participate.
In addition, the Democracy Shield plan envisages the creation of an independent network of fact-checkers to protect against disinformation, especially during elections, health emergencies, or natural disasters. Brussels also intends to form a network of online opinion leaders who will disseminate information about democratic standards and EU rules in the online space.
According to the EU External Action Service, dozens of Russian disinformation campaigns have been recorded in recent years alone. Among them is Operation Doppelganger, which involved the creation of websites copying well-known European media outlets such as Die Welt, Le Point, La Stampa, and Polskie Radio and publishing fake materials with anti-Western content. These fake articles were then shared on social media, with the aim of discrediting European politicians and weakening public support for Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees.
The document also points to the threat from China. According to the European Commission, Beijing uses private PR companies and “influencers” to create and disseminate materials that serve its political interests. In 2024, Citizen Lab researchers identified 123 websites operating from China under the guise of news agencies and publishing pro-Beijing disinformation in 30 countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
The interference in the internal affairs of EU states became particularly noticeable after the elections in Romania, the results of which were annulled due to a Russian campaign that included large-scale cyberattacks on the electoral system and social media activity. The Moldovan authorities have also previously claimed that Russia interfered in the elections, emphasizing the use of voter bribery schemes and propaganda campaigns, The Guardian reminds.
The idea of the Center for Democratic Resilience was first presented by Ursula von der Leyen in September during her speech to the European Parliament. More detailed provisions of the initiative are expected to be published on November 12.
