Event 597

{
  "category": "InfoOps",
  "confidence": "Low",
  "confidence_rationale": "The article provides specific examples and analysis of Z-bloggers spreading pro-Kremlin narratives, with clear descriptions of their role in Russian information operations. The intent and activity patterns described match established info-ops behaviors.",
  "countries": [
    "Finland",
    "Estonia",
    "Latvia",
    "Lithuania",
    "Poland",
    "European Union"
  ],
  "country": "Russia",
  "defense_prep": {},
  "description": "Z-bloggers central in ??RU propaganda. Telegram channels disseminate fake insider information, fabrications, and recruit agents in Ukraine. The harshest criticism of Z-bloggers is directed at Russian emigrants. From a historical perspective, war correspondents are dangerous for everyone. he institution of war correspondents of modern Russia was established in 2014, when large-scale hostilities began in Eastern Ukraine, columnist Andrey Kuzichkin writes.",
  "event_time_utc": "2024-10-07T12:00:00Z",
  "evidence": [
    "The article explicitly outlines the use of online influencers ('Z-bloggers') to propagate militaristic and anti-Western messages.",
    "It provides qualitative evidence of rising social media influence and audience engagement correlating with extremity of hostile messaging."
  ],
  "evidence_quotes": [
    "Z-bloggers – the main tool for zombifying Russian society",
    "Kremlin needs not just obedient citizens, but also soldiers ready to die for their country. To achieve this, TV propagandists and bloggers instill in people a steady hatred of the enemy.",
    "The more brutal and angry the 'z-blogger', the more followers he has.",
    "By demonizing Ukraine, Vladimir Putin's regime gains support inside the country and justifies violence and cruelty."
  ],
  "extra": {
    "category_raw": "Disinfo Operation",
    "extra": {
      "extra": {
        "extra": {
          "evidence": [
            "The article explicitly outlines the use of online influencers ('Z-bloggers') to propagate militaristic and anti-Western messages.",
            "It provides qualitative evidence of rising social media influence and audience engagement correlating with extremity of hostile messaging."
          ]
        }
      }
    }
  },
  "fifth_column_countries": [
    "FI",
    "EE",
    "LV",
    "LT",
    "PL",
    "Europe"
  ],
  "follow_up_by_country": [],
  "headline": "ANDREY KUZICHKIN ⟩ Z-bloggers – the main tool for zombifying Russian society",
  "media_assets": [
    {
      "description": "Screenshot capture",
      "type": "screenshot",
      "url": "/media/event_597_1763932213_68451362.jpg"
    }
  ],
  "notes": "Z-blogger roles in Europe for operation for disinformation and recruitment",
  "schema_version": "v1",
  "screenshot_count": 1,
  "sources": [
    "https://news.postimees.ee/8110427/andrey-kuzichkin-z-bloggers-the-main-tool-for-zombifying-russian-society"
  ],
  "summary_short": "Russian pro-Kremlin Z-bloggers are leading propaganda and information manipulation efforts to support the war, shape public opinion, and suppress dissent.",
  "url": "https://news.postimees.ee/8110427/andrey-kuzichkin-z-bloggers-the-main-tool-for-zombifying-russian-society"
}

{
  "5th Column of Russians Inside (which countries)": "FI EE LV LT PL Europe",
  "Attack Type": "Disinfo Operation",
  "Borders Including Sea, Air,  Violation or Sabotage (which countries)": "",
  "Continuous? (e.g. Jammers)": "",
  "Country (FI;EE;LV;LT;PL;BSR;Air)\nSeparated by Semicolon": "FI;EE;LV;LT;PL;Europe",
  "Date": "7-Oct-24",
  "Defense Prep Event (FI-EE-LV-LT-PL)": "",
  "Defense Prep Event (FI-EE-LV-LT-PL) REF LINK": "",
  "Follow-Up Link?  (FI,EE,LV,LT,PL, BSR, Air)": "",
  "Follow-Up NOTES": "",
  "Follow-Up incl. Investigation, Prosecution?  (FI,EE,LV,LT,PL, BSR, Air)": "",
  "Latitude, Longitude (WGS84, Decimal Degrees)": "",
  "NOTES": "Z-blogger roles in Europe for operation for disinformation and recruitment",
  "Political Disruptions w/ Laws to Favor Kremlin (which countries)": "",
  "Russian-Belarus Terrorist Event (FI-EE-LV-LT-PL)": "Z-bloggers central in ??RU propaganda. Telegram channels disseminate fake insider information, fabrications, and recruit agents in Ukraine. The harshest criticism of Z-bloggers is directed at Russian emigrants. From a historical perspective, war correspondents are dangerous for everyone. he institution of war correspondents of modern Russia was established in 2014, when large-scale hostilities began in Eastern Ukraine, columnist Andrey Kuzichkin writes.",
  "Russian-Belarus Terrorist Event (FI-EE-LV-LT-PL) REF LINK": "https://news.postimees.ee/8110427/andrey-kuzichkin-z-bloggers-the-main-tool-for-zombifying-russian-society",
  "Screen Snapshot": "",
  "Screen Snapshots": "",
  "Type Dropdown": "",
  "Where?\n(Air, Land, Sea)": ""
}