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IN SHORT
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The war in Ukraine is not only fought on the military front; it today extends to battles of influence and disinformation on social media. A new strategy, orchestrated notably from Russia, uses fake travel influencers to spread manipulated images and videos. These contents, widely shared on platforms like TikTok, paint a picture of a radiant Ukraine untouched by conflict, creating confusion and undermining international support for the country. Through these staged scenes, Russian propaganda seeks to divide public opinion and weaken Western alliances. This article explores the mechanics of this manipulation, the methods used, and the different goals pursued.
The Behind-the-Scenes of a Manipulation Operation #
In the streets of Kyiv, scenes are shared showing smiling crowds dressed elegantly, embodying an almost carefree life. On paper, these images testify to a peaceful, even festive reality in Ukraine. However, a closer examination reveals a carefully orchestrated deception: these videos are not actually taken in Kyiv or Ukraine, but rather in Russia, in iconic locations like Red Square in Moscow. Frequently, undeniable clues are present – license plates, Russian national guard uniforms, or dialogues in Russian – that betray the true location.
The primary objective of these fake street scenes: to blur the international perception of the conflict, suggesting that major Ukrainian cities are living out of time, far from the violence and bombings that occur daily just a few hundred kilometers away, such as in the recently struck city of Sumy.
The Female Body, a Tool of Propaganda #
A recurring pattern in this manipulation involves highlighting women portrayed in the streets, sometimes in evening wear, filmed without their knowledge. These images, which may seem anecdotal, play a central role in engaging internet users: they attract the eye, provoke controversy, and generate increased virality. The female bodies become, under the lens of propaganda operators, a true bait designed to trigger reactions and debates in the comments sections.
As Vera Grantseva, a lecturer at Sciences Po Paris and a specialist in Russian propaganda, explains, it is a “classic war method.” We observe a misuse of the female body to indoctrinate, manipulate, or simply distort public opinion, a technique already exploited by many actors in past or present conflict contexts. To better understand the mechanisms of recruitment and reaction on social media, these methods must be explored through both a historical and sociological lens.
Suspicions, Controversies, and Generated Divisions #
By exploring the comments on videos published by these fake travel accounts, a pattern emerges: many users express outrage over the apparent tranquility of Ukraine, with some even accusing the country of manipulations and corruption. Confusion subtly establishes itself, instigating doubt within the audience, both in Ukraine and internationally.
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This polarized climate achieves a second objective: that of weakening the ties within the Ukrainian population, as well as towards its Western partners. The contents insidiously suggest that the war does not affect everyone in the same way, which may lead to a disengagement between different regions and communities.
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Multiple Strategies to Weaken the West #
If the first layer of this manipulation aims to tarnish Ukraine’s image and cast doubt on the sincerity of its war narrative, another facet focuses on discrediting Western countries. The same content creators, under the guise of travel testimonies, wander with their cameras through the streets of London or Philadelphia, this time filming passersby from immigrant backgrounds, often without their consent.
The objective is clear: to oppose the supposed carefree Ukrainian life with a vision of the “decadence” of certain major Western cities. The comments then abound with negative messages about the “migrant influx” in Europe, thus perpetuating far-right arguments and tarnishing the Western model. In this field, Russian propaganda controls the narrative and steers perceptions through images taken out of context.
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Social Media, Tourism, and Distorted Reality #
Through the use of aesthetically pleasing videos, featuring elegant passersby, vibrant urban landscapes, and attractive nightlife, these accounts willfully deceive users about the nature of life in wartime. The methods distort the classic imagery of travel and ride the increasing popularity of tourism content, accentuating a divide between reality and fiction. It is on this mined terrain that Russia waged a new information battle, demonstrating that online, what we see is not always what we believe.
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On the other hand, internationally, other countries and sports are facing similar tensions, whether in the realm of college sports, as evidenced by the case of American college basketball, demonstrating how manipulation via social media transcends thematic borders.
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