2026/05/28 by Julie Terebkov, Torin Monahan, Alice E. Marwick · 2 voices
Social Sciences · Health Professions · #Misinformation and Its Impacts #Romani and Gypsy Studies #Global Security and Public Health
paper · doi:10.5210/fm.v31i5.14649
This paper analyzes online Russian disinformation campaigns about Ukrainian refugees in Europe to better understand their impact upon target groups. Although disinformation can mislead audiences because of its verisimilitude with authoritative media sources, we argue that its deeper potency rests in activating existing cultural biases. We trace these dynamics in false narratives of refugees as threats to both privileged “Eurowhite” populations and vulnerable Roma people. In both cases, disinformation serves as an extension of larger hybrid and information warfare efforts by Russia. We conclude by critically assessing the potential of interventions — such as those launched by Google’s Jigsaw unit — to “prebunk” disinformation campaigns.