The battle with Russian disinformation in North Macedonia

Since the beginning of the occupation of Ukraine, Russia has done everything to increase its influence in North Macedonia, according to the so-called concept of “sharp power”, according to the data of a study by the civil association “Most”.

This research analyzes Russian propaganda, influence and disinformation narratives related to the war in Ukraine, which are present online in North Macedonia in the period March 2022 – February 2023.

Such a concept of “sharp power”, as stated in the study, is especially implemented through the promotion of Slavic-Orthodox brotherhood and the use of the church for such purposes.

“Russian influence attracts the population to the concept of shared values with “Slavic and Orthodox brothers from Russia who have nothing in common with the Western world and the United States of America”, thus encouraging resistance to the European Union (EU) and NATO- s”, says the study.

According to the research, “hostile Russian narratives in North Macedonia” in the first year of Russian aggression against Ukraine had five main goals; the justification of aggression, the portrayal of Ukraine as a threat to Russia’s existence due to its proximity to the West and alleged Nazism, through the narratives “Biological weapons laboratories in Ukraine and that Ukrainians are Nazis”.

“This external influence is harmful. It is a propaganda that divides the information space by trying to increase the influence on the citizens through various manipulations. Other goals involved spreading disinformation that sanctions hurt the West more than Russia and creating the perception that the West wants to destroy Russia because of its Orthodox worldview, a narrative that has been promoted by Russian officials as well as Russian allies and propagandists. “, stated Rosana Aleksoska, from the civil association “Most”.

Another goal of Russian disinformation, according to the research, was to return to the past through manipulations related to the events in Yugoslavia, as well as promoting the narrative “Kosovo is Serbia, Donbass is Russia.”

“All these goals, according to the study, have divisive goals and aim to promote anti-Western sentiment in the audience, doing everything to hinder the Euro-Atlantic integration of North Macedonia and the region. North Macedonia and the Balkans are high on the Kremlin’s agenda,” the study states.

Meanwhile, Xhelal Neziri, an expert on political issues and head of the Center for Investigative Journalism, says for Radio Free Europe that the Russian influence in North Macedonia is particularly present in the last ten years.

“North Macedonia is considered as a node, a crossroad or as a terrain, in which it is much easier to exercise the strategy of Russia to have a great influence at a small cost. It achieves this with its propaganda by inciting divisions on ethnic and religious grounds and thus enticing the Orthodox and Slavic population to unite around Moscow as a promoter and defender of Slavic interests,” says Neziri.

He adds that this propaganda is done at a cheap cost through various media, mainly portals and social networks.

“It is an influence with a very cheap and efficient cost, especially among the new generations, therefore our institutions, as well as the other countries of the Balkans, must have concrete strategies to respond to this hybrid war, which aims to deviate from the strategic goals of these countries towards Euro-Atlantic integration”, analyst Neziri says for Radio Free Europe.

The study of the civil association “Most” is based on the findings and recommendations made in the study “Disinformation and distortion of information in North Macedonia”, published by “Most” in December 2021.

“Authorities, political parties, the academic community, the private sector, the media and all other actors must recognize the presence of Russian malign influence in the country. Once this is done, a long-term strategic plan to combat foreign malign influence, as well as a long-term strategic communication plan, must be drawn up, approved and consistently implemented,” says the study of the civil association “Most”.