Online Lecture: “Russia's Influence on Public Opinion in Europe”

Online Lecture: “Russia's Influence on Public Opinion in Europe”

On April 17, 2025, the Ukrainian International Strategy Center (UISC) held its second online lecture as part of its educational programme focused on countering hybrid threats and disinformation. The event explored how the Russian Federation exerts influence over public opinion and political processes in European countries.

Speaker

Iryna Musii — a journalist, war crimes documenter, and human rights defender. She is the founder of the WOMEN UA community. In 2023–2024, she contributed to international research projects, including The Reckoning Project: Ukraine Testifies and a study on conflict-related sexual violence supported by The Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU)/Chemonics International.

Key Topics:

Russian influence on political and civic processes in the EU;

Activities of pro-Russian political parties, organisations, and movements;

Religious and cult-like organisations acting as Kremlin proxies.

The lecture provided detailed examples of Russia’s funding of foreign political actors and the role played by far-right and far-left parties in spreading Kremlin narratives. It examined the functions of state-controlled Russian institutions such as Rossotrudnichestvo, the Russkiy Mir Foundation, and organisations like AllatRa and The Ringing Cedars of Russia.

Participants learned how Russian propaganda is tailored to local contexts in different countries, using a combination of economic, political, and cultural tools. The speaker also focused on Russia’s exploitation of protests and civil unrest in Europe — from farmer demonstrations in Poland and the Czech Republic to anti-vaccine and anti-Ukrainian campaigns across multiple EU states.

The event took place via Zoom and was open to registered participants. It attracted attendees from across Europe, including members of the Ukrainian diaspora, researchers, activists, and analysts. The lecture prompted a lively discussion and numerous audience questions.

Lecture recording on YouTube

This was the second lecture in a growing series of UISC events dedicated to analysing and countering Kremlin information warfare. The Ukrainian International Strategy Center will continue to raise awareness, build networks, and equip stakeholders with knowledge to resist Russian disinformation and soft power tactics.

Follow UISC updates on social media and at uisc.eu