Russian Disinformation in the Ukraine Conflict

The chapter explores Russia's invasion of Ukraine, fueled by years of anti-Ukrainian propaganda, and the intensification of disinformation during Ukraine's crucial election year. It delves into the evidence of alleged war crimes in Ukraine, particularly the massacre in Bucha, and Russia's narrative of denial and justification for its aggression through portraying Ukraine as a hostile neighbor. The impact of Russian disinformation on social media, young fact checkers monitoring information, and the psychological mechanisms people use to shield themselves from uncomfortable truths are also discussed.