Russia ramps up recruitment of foreign influencers in Ukraine war

Through an agency under the foreign ministry, Russia has increased spending on training and recruitment of foreign "journalists, bloggers, and youth," reports Ukrainska Pravda on Saturday.

In the first four months of 2024, the Russian Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation announced tenders for projects to present an "accurate reporting" of the ongoing war in Ukraine. These tenders total 230 million rubles (approx. $2.5 million), surpassing the amount allocated for the entire year of 2023, emphasizing the Ukrainian portal.

The specialized agency under the Russian Foreign Ministry officially focuses on creating a friendly environment for implementing Russia's political and economic interests abroad, particularly in Commonwealth of Independent States countries. This is achieved by coordinating the activities of the Russian diaspora, Russian non-governmental organizations, and the implementation of aid programs.

Ukrainian media refer to the agency as the "coordinator of the Russian global network of agents." Its funds finance trips for young activists to Russia and temporarily occupied territories in Ukraine. In Russia, program participants are trained at the Sputnik news agency and the "Komsomolskaya Pravda" newspaper, reports Ukrainska Pravda.

It adds that after completing training in Russia, they return to their countries, where they develop propaganda centers and conduct information campaigns against Ukraine in line with other Kremlin objectives.