Media Detector uncovered a network of anonymous Russian Telegram channels for the occupied territories

Although not only in the occupied territories - three were discovered in the area of Mykolaiv

The Ukrainian segment of the telegram platform has changed significantly since the beginning of the Great War. "Media Detector" recorded the creation and promotion of new anonymous telegram channels. Many of them are channels that Russia uses to legitimize the occupation of certain settlements and establish control over the information environment.

Media Detector researched such Telegram channels to understand how Russia uses them to spread propaganda and whether such channels are popular.
In this study, such channels are called occupation. That is, these are Telegram channels that mention in the title or description a certain city or region of Ukraine, which were or are still under occupation after February 24. These are also the Telegram channels of the settlement that Russia plans to occupy. All these channels spread Russian propaganda. Channels related to the territories occupied by Russia before February 24, 2022 are not analyzed in this study.

What channels did the Russian occupiers create in the Telegram?

The research revealed 88 newly created Telegram channels of the occupiers. However, their list is growing. Most of these channels were created on February 24 or a few days later. That is, a significant part of the local canals was formed long before the actual military occupation of the settlement, and some of them could not be occupied. Typically, such channels can be divided into two categories:

- those who can act as "official" sources of the occupier. That is, such Telegram channels that publish information in the interest of the occupiers. For example, inform about humanitarian aid or call for reporting on the movement of Ukrainian equipment;

- those who imitate the behavior of the media, ie publish news about the occupied settlement, but are full of propaganda and misinformation.
Detector Media has uncovered a network of anonymous Russian Telegram channels for the occupied territories. Although they are not only in the occupied territories - there are three in the Mykolayiv region.
Most of the canals are in the south, east and north, especially around Kiev. This is logical, because in these areas the territories were or are still occupied. We also see the canals of settlements that have never been occupied by Russia. For example, the Telegram channel of the city of Berezan, near Kiev. That is, the Russians planned to occupy it and tried to prepare information to achieve that goal. The occupation failed, so the Telegram channel became unnecessary.
However, such channels attract the most attention in the regions of Zhytomyr, and even Lviv (telegram channel Chervonohrad). Such Telegram channels are an indirect confirmation that Russia does not plan to stop in the eastern and southern regions.
 
Are the Telegram channels of the Russian occupiers popular?

It is important to understand that it is impossible to check the similarity of Telegram channel subscriber bots, because Telegram does not provide a list of profiles subscribed to the channel. It is also impossible to verify the geography of subscribers. However, the authenticity of the popularity of the Telegram channel can be judged from other indicators. In particular, the dynamics of subscriber growth. Most of these telegram channels were created in late February or early March. Rapid increase / decrease in the number of subscribers indirectly indicates bots. For example, the Telegram channel Berdyansk Tomorrow, which shows an unnatural jump in the number of subscribers between 28 and 29 March. It is important to note that at that time there was no mobile communication in the city, and only Ukrtelecom was one of the cable Internet operators.
Then there are active logouts on most channels. There may be several explanations. First: Telegram removes bots. Yes, Telegram regularly removes bots, although it does not report it publicly, unlike other social networks. Another explanation: lack of resources. There is no point in running Telegram channels of settlements, which are unlikely to be occupied in the near future.
In addition, it was technically difficult to find some of these channels, as Telegram itself is hiding them in search. Usually Telegram does this when it detects cheating of the number of users.
The constant growth of subscribers is noticed mainly on the channels from the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. Russia has probably decided to focus on promoting these channels.
 It is possible that the inhabitants of the territories under Russian occupation were forced to subscribe to certain telegram channels. There is much evidence of Russia's attempts to control the information space. Detailed dynamics of subscribers to the occupier's telegram channels can be found here.

What do the channels of the Russian occupiers write in the Telegram?

In general, the content of the Telegram channel is expected. We see direct Russian propaganda and misinformation. Russian politicians and representatives of the occupying power are most often mentioned in the previously occupied parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Most of these telegram channels simply broadcast the content of Russian propaganda media. However, Telegram channels are local, so there are facilities that are directly relevant to the residents of certain cities and towns. Propagandists often try to pretend to be “their own” in order to gain at least a little trust from the local population. However, the details are relentlessly revealed.

The most popular topics of the occupying Telegram channels are:

- Discrediting Ukraine and its leadership, including mayors and regional administrations.

- Russian military victories and demonization of the Ukrainian army.

- Conspiracy theories about the actions of the "West" in Ukraine.

- Local "denazification": reporting on "Nazis" that the Russians allegedly managed to capture in the occupied settlements. It also informs about the destruction of Ukrainian state symbols.

- "Restoration of normal life after eight years of suffering" . Much of the information relates to the life of the occupied cities, especially the schedule of shops or churches, the schooling of children in school. However, the propagandists present all this under the guise of the victory of the "Russian world".

- New "administrative units" such as the self-proclaimed "DPR" and "LPR". Propagandists are trying to explain why such a path is useful for Ukrainians and generally promote "the benefits of Russian occupation." For example, they write that Russia will write off debts for utilities.

- Evacuation. Readers are generally urged to evacuate to previously occupied parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions or to the occupied Crimea. The information on the evacuation corridors that have been officially agreed with Ukraine is an exception.

- Humanitarian aid from Russia. Propagandists are trying to claim that Russian aid is a salvation from the humanitarian crisis for which the Ukrainian political leadership must be blamed.

Why can we assume that Russia is creating "occupation" telegram channels?

First, clear coordination. Telegram channels are created according to a specific principle. Moreover, some are under one brand. And this applies to the canals of settlements in the north, south and east. That is, it is possible to create an entire network of Telegram channels from Vasylkiv to Tokmak synchronously and simultaneously, only if there is clear coordination. In addition, most of the channels were created on February 24, which again calls into question the natural, voluntary and quick organization of the supporters of the "Russian world".
Secondly, there are close ties based on the spread and mention of "occupation" Telegram channels, as well as their connections with Russian propaganda channels.