Amid coronavirus pandemic, Russia spreads misinformation to undermine European Union: Report
Vladimir Putin
For Russia, misinformation is a legitimate weapon to achieve foreign policy goals. Experts who have studied the Russian playbook say the kremlin deploys several tools including fake stories, digital troll, and shadowy blogs. And now, Russia's latest playground is Europe.
A report published on US-based media site, politico claimed that Russian sources are pushing fake news in Europe in an attempt to undermine the European Union.
The EU foreign service says Russia and China are "carpet bombing" Europeans with coronavirus lies.
Another report was published on European online newspaper, which also claimed that the Russian state media is indeed spreading misleading advice like baking soda, lemon, vitamin C, and zinc would kill the coronavirus while washing hands is ineffective.
A website name "orientalreview" which is believed to be a pro-Kremlin site published an article in March in which it downplayed that coronavirus pandemic which has killed over 180,000 people globally and claimed that the deadly virus is less harmful than seasonal influenza.
"The great COVID-19 legacy will leave far fewer deaths than common influenza when the panic has dissipated". If this piece downplays the crisis.
)
Nigeria: Protesters take to the streets, police fire shots
)
US-Iran war: Tehran draws red lines — seven demands before any peace talks
)
Russia-Europe tensions: Polish PM warns Russian attacks could test NATO's unity
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Not the US or China’: These are the countries leading the world in arable land
)
EXCLUSIVE | Singer Hanita Bhambri on her Toxic debut, working with Vishal Mishra and more
)
Mark Carney mimics Trump in hilarious moment over C$70 billion clean-energy investment; room erupts in laughter
)
Delhi voter roll shake-up: 3.31 million electors flagged in SIR review
)
Aravana prasadam shortage at Sabarimala temple in Kerala triggers protests, TDB questioned
)
‘End of my career...’: NSA Doval recalls tense Sikkim mission when China captured Indian intelligence team
)
Report: Iran rebuilding Taleghan 2, nuclear site tied to past weapons research, hit twice by Israel
)
Trump defends AI amid growing alarm, announces new 'AI force' and promises an 'AI czar'
)
Iran sets 7 conditions to end war with US: What are Tehran’s demands?
)
Trump announces ‘AI Force’ as debate grows over AI risks and regulation
)
China may have gained access to US's classified F-35 jets; parts meant for repairs diverted to Hong Kong, sparking Pentagon inquiry
)
Gaza under attack: Health chief's son killed in IDF strikes
)
Arvind Kejriwal, family members, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta get SIR notices
)
Cochin shipyard starts building Indian Navy's next-gen missile vessels
)
Saudi vs Houthis: Houthis claim missiles & drones used in attack on key Saudi sites
)
Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore's removal, Gaza conflict during Philadelphia concert: 'I cannot hide how I feel'
)
‘Will go to any extent’: Pakistan vows to defend Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks
66 years of the Indus Waters Treaty: How India and Pakistan settled a bitter river dispute
)
The Verdict | When precision fails: US commits war crime in Minab school strike, UN finds
Russia attacks Ukraine with 174 drones, kills 8; 2 vessels hit in Black Sea
)
9 women found dead near Johannesburg: South Africans rally, demand 'enough' to femicide
)
Kampala-Ankara rift deepens: Uganda suspends military ties, seeks Fred Lumbuye's extradition
)
Trump wants to rename ‘Artificial Intelligence’, gives 3 options: Which one would you pick?
)
US-Iran war: Tehran sets seven conditions to re-engage in talks with US
)
Reacher star Alan Ritchson opens up about alleged blackmail, suicide attempt during difficult period
)
Africa is splitting, and a lot sooner than estimated, giving way to a new ocean
)
Flying cars in UAE: Ras Al Khaimah signs deal with Chinese company to test new transport
)
Trump bans CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House over ‘FAKE NEWS’
)
Trump 2.0: Dark days ahead for America’s ‘imperial presidency’
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many F-35s does Britain, Japan and Israel have?
)
Harry Brook targets long reign at top of T20I rankings after Sri Lanka sweep
)
Russia's deadly Ukraine strikes kill 2 in Sumy, hit Dnipro mall
)
Russia holds first parliamentary elections since the beginning of the Ukraine war
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 Indian batters with fastest T20I centuries
)
Raphinha hat-trick powers Barcelona to 3-1 win over Sevilla in La Liga
)
)
While another pro-Russian blog called "Geopolitica" published an article with a headline reading, "The plague gods: The geopolitics of epidemic and the bubbles of nothing" in which it claimed that the "coronavirus will end the civilisation."
The problem of misinformation is real and while Europe iis the worst affected continent from coronavirus with over a million cases of infection, the infodemic is only adding to Europe's troubles.
Last month, the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen had to release a video to bust some of the fake claims herself.
Oxford's Reuters Institute tracked the spread of 225 fake claims during which they that 88 per cent of the misleading claims of the coronavirus appeared on social media platforms.
Out of this, 9% of these claims ran on television; 8% in other news outlets.