The Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) has operationalized the study of disinformation by exposing falsehoods and fake news, documenting human rights abuses, and building digital resilience worldwide.

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Bakhmut Situation Report, February 10, 2023

New Atlanticist

Feb 10, 2023

Russian War Report: DFRLab confirms Russia’s push to encircle Bakhmut

By Valentin Châtelet, Ruslan Trad, Kateryna Halstead, Nika Aleksejeva

Wagner Group soldiers are attempting to encircle Bakhmut, Ukraine. Meanwhile on the southern flank, Russian armed forces are trying to consolidate their progression towards Ivaniske.

Conflict Defense Technologies
Radar imagery, captured between January 25 and January 30, 2023, shows air defense system interference patterns. Source: DFRLab via Sentinel-1 on 5Ghz Interference Locator via Google Earth Engine)

New Atlanticist

Feb 3, 2023

Russian War Report: Satellite imagery indicates a build-up of air defense missile systems in southern Russia

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Satellite imagery suggests the build-up of air defense missile systems in southern Russia while Ukraine warns of a potential spring Russian offensive.

Conflict Coronavirus
Satellite image captures military transport aircraft at Russia’s Tsentralny military air base. (Source: Planet.com/DFRLab)

New Atlanticist

Jan 27, 2023

Russian War Report: Pro-Kremlin sources amplify forged diplomatic letters targeting Ukrainian refugees

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

As Russian shelling of Ukranian forces and civilian infrastructure continues, Ukraine receives the first of many tanks promised by NATO allies.

Conflict Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Jan 20, 2023

Russian War Report: Wagner Group fights French ‘zombies’ in cartoon propaganda

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Plus, more on Wagner's power struggles with the Russian defense ministry and Russia's apparent use of incendiary munitions in Kherson.

Belarus Conflict
Igor Turashev, wanted by the FBI for his connection to computer malware that infected “tens of thousands of computers,” reportedly participated in a December 2022 Russian hackathon hosted by the Wagner Group. (Source: FBI.gov)

New Atlanticist

Jan 13, 2023

Russian War Report: Russian hacker wanted by the FBI reportedly wins Wagner hackathon prize 

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

In December 2022, Wagner Group organized a hackathon that was won by a man wanted by the FBI for his connection to computer malware.

Conflict Cybersecurity
Congregants attend an Orthodox Christmas Eve service in a chapel located in a former residential building in the town of Volnovakha, Russian-controlled Donetsk, January 6, 2023. (SOURCE: Reuters/Alexander Ermochenko/TPX)

New Atlanticist

Jan 6, 2023

Russian War Report: Russian military bloggers criticize Putin’s Orthodox Christmas ceasefire announcement

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

In the first days of 2023, Russia shelled civilian infrastructure in Ukraine before Russian President Putin called for a 36 hour ceasefire to observe Orthodox Christmas.

Conflict Disinformation
Ukrainian soldier with his weapon in a wooden cottage near the Donbas frontlines, Donetsk. (Source: Celestino Arce/NurPhoto via Reuters Connect)

New Atlanticist

Dec 16, 2022

Russian War Report: Fierce fighting in Donetsk despite the onset of winter

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

While many had hoped Winter would slow the fighting in Ukraine, the conflict has continued and, in some cases including in Donetsk, intensified.

Conflict Drones

New Atlanticist

Dec 9, 2022

Russian War Report: Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels promote news of TV Rain losing broadcasting license in Latvia

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Latvian National Electronic Media Council revoked the broadcasting license of TV Rain, an independent Russian television channel, citing threats to Latvian national security.

Conflict Disinformation
Original photo of the Polish PM, which was digitally altered and amplified on Telegram. (Source: @PremierRP/archive)

New Atlanticist

Dec 2, 2022

Russian War Report: Russian Telegram channel spreads digitally modified photo of Poland’s prime minister

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Russian Telegram channels disseminated a manipulated photo showing Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at a monument during his visit to Ukraine.

Conflict Disinformation
Anti-LGBTQ counter-protesters stomp on a rainbow flag during a protest by gay rights activists in central Moscow, June 11, 2013. (Source: Reuters/Maxim Shemetov)

New Atlanticist

Nov 18, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia defends ‘traditional values,’ criminalizes LGBTQ ‘propaganda’

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

After two Polish citzens were killed by a missile, Poland and NATO both say the hit was not a Russian attack. Meanwhile, Putin enacts an anti-LGBTQ ord

Central Europe Civil Society
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