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The Kremlin propaganda playbook repeated in Croatia
Croatian researchers have uncovered indications of a pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign utilising a large bot network ahead of the presidential run-off in Croatia.
>The accounts posting pro-Milanović content were diverse, posting in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Serbian and Croatian. They appeared to mobilise in two waves: following Milanović’s first-place finish in the first round of voting and after his statements opposing potential Croatian involvement in the Ukraine War.
>Researchers also analysed news media relating to the presidential runoff and found that several Kremlin propaganda outlets and Kremlin-aligned media outlets in other countries took a favourable stance toward Milanović .
>The English website of Al Mayadeen, widely recognised as a Hezbollah-affiliated platform, published two articles falsely asserting that Milanović had won the first round of elections which were further amplified by bot accounts. > >Croatian and regional fringe outlets previously flagged for peddling disinformation about the war in Ukraine have also promoted Milanović, including Epoha, Projekt Velebit, and Maxportal.hr, researchers found.