The article "From denial to exploitation: how the Kremlin has adapted its climate disinformation" on EUvsDisinfo (dated August 23, 2023, authored by EUvsDisinfo) analyses how Russian state-linked information manipulation and interference (FIMI) has shifted from outright climate‑change denial to exploiting climate issues for geopolitical aims, especially against the European Union. It states that Kremlin propaganda now uses climate narratives as a "fitting topic" to reinforce familiar disinformation tropes: alleged Russophobia and hypocrisy of the EU, supposed self‑inflicted EU decline through sanctions against Russia, and claims that sanctions undermine EU relations with Russia as a supplier of affordable oil and gas. Rather than denying climate change, pro‑Kremlin outlets increasingly describe EU climate policies as problematic and dangerous, while praising Russian policies.

The article describes multiple disinformation themes:

1. The EU as a "green dictatorship": Russian FIMI allegedly portrays EU climate policies as covert mechanisms of control and totalitarianism. The EU is labelled a "totalitarian and Nazi‑like" bloc whose "most senseless, yet most totalitarian" regulations are climate‑related. Pro‑Kremlin media describe EU measures to fight climate change—such as energy‑efficiency measures or an eventual ban on combustion‑engine cars—as attacks on ordinary people, farmers and producers, and as instruments of "Brussels bureaucrats" who supposedly hate freedom, prosperity, and national autonomy. Green policies are depicted as tools for persecuting national minorities and dissidents, and as a pretext for more regulation. A cited claim is that EU climate targets for 2030 would be "as destructive for Europe’s economy" as EU sanctions against Russia. Political opponents of such policies are presented as victims of supposed EU authoritarianism.

2. "The ticking climate bomb": Russia is presented domestically as a safe haven from climate impacts and economic fallout. The article says the Kremlin narrative paints Russia as less affected by rising temperatures than other regions, suggesting that climate change will expand arable land and open Arctic seaways to benefit Russian exports. Russia is portrayed as rich in energy, food, water and other resources, thus uniquely positioned to weather crises that could devastate other countries. Conversely, Europe is described as threatened by floods, fires, droughts and environmental disasters with increasing frequency. The Russian government is shown as committed to continued fossil‑fuel extraction, while pre‑renewables Europe is allegedly rushing into "economic self‑harm" by abandoning cheap Russian energy. Claims are cited that the EU’s climate agenda amounts to "economic suicide", sacrifices Europe’s prosperity and stability, and serves a "green ideology" rather than citizens’ interests.

3. "Apocalypse for Europe, opportunity for Russia": Pro‑Kremlin actors frame climate change as a looming catastrophe for Europe and the West, but also as an opportunity for Russia to rise as a stable and resource‑rich power. Narratives foresee droughts, storms, energy crises and social unrest in Europe, leading to de‑industrialisation, de‑population of rural areas and large‑scale migration. Russian commentators argue that European countries will remain dependent on Russian energy imports, and that Russia’s energy sector and natural resources make it a winner in any climate‑driven reshaping of global trade. During recent energy debates, pro‑Kremlin outlets blamed EU "Russophobic" politicians and officials for rising energy prices and economic hardship, alleging that European climate policies and sanctions against Russia would destroy Europe’s industry and well‑being while strengthening Russia’s position.

4. "Propaganda (and Russia) runs out of fuel": The article concludes that while Kremlin propaganda aggressively attacks EU climate policies, Russia itself faces growing climate‑related challenges: melting permafrost, wildfires, storms, floods, and other extreme events. These impact Russia’s infrastructure, agriculture, and population, particularly in Siberia and the Arctic. Nevertheless, these problems are downplayed or ignored in domestic propaganda, which instead blames the EU and the West for energy and climate crises. EUvsDisinfo argues that this is a crisis of Russia’s own making, rooted in its reliance on fossil‑fuel exports and its war against Ukraine, and that Kremlin narratives seek to deflect responsibility and maintain influence over European public opinion.

The article emphasises that Russian foreign information manipulation on climate is tightly integrated with energy narratives, sanctions, and attempts to undermine trust in EU institutions and policies. It notes the use of state‑controlled media, online outlets, and social platforms to spread false or misleading claims about EU climate laws, exaggerate economic costs, and depict any green transition as a plot against ordinary citizens. The piece highlights how climate‑related stories are interwoven with older Kremlin themes of EU collapse, Western decadence, and Russia as a besieged fortress yet future safe haven. Tags visible on the page include "FIMI" and "Climate change". The site is operated by the European External Action Service (EEAS), European Union, with contact address Rond‑Point Schuman 9, 1046 Brussels, Belgium, and the footer slogan "DON’T BE DECEIVED, QUESTION EVEN MORE."

The article "From denial to exploitation: how the Kremlin has adapted its climate disinformation" on EUvsDisinfo (dated August 23, 2023, authored by EUvsDisinfo) analyses how Russian state-linked information manipulation and interference (FIMI) has shifted from outright climate‑change denial to exploiting climate issues for geopolitical aims, especially against the European Union. It states that Kremlin propaganda now uses climate narratives as a "fitting topic" to reinforce familiar disinformation tropes: alleged Russophobia and hypocrisy of the EU, supposed self‑inflicted EU decline through sanctions against Russia, and claims that sanctions undermine EU relations with Russia as a supplier of affordable oil and gas. Rather than denying climate change, pro‑Kremlin outlets increasingly describe EU climate policies as problematic and dangerous, while praising Russian policies.

The article describes multiple disinformation themes:

1. The EU as a "green dictatorship": Russian FIMI allegedly portrays EU climate policies as covert mechanisms of control and totalitarianism. The EU is labelled a "totalitarian and Nazi‑like" bloc whose "most senseless, yet most totalitarian" regulations are climate‑related. Pro‑Kremlin media describe EU measures to fight climate change—such as energy‑efficiency measures or an eventual ban on combustion‑engine cars—as attacks on ordinary people, farmers and producers, and as instruments of "Brussels bureaucrats" who supposedly hate freedom, prosperity, and national autonomy. Green policies are depicted as tools for persecuting national minorities and dissidents, and as a pretext for more regulation. A cited claim is that EU climate targets for 2030 would be "as destructive for Europe’s economy" as EU sanctions against Russia. Political opponents of such policies are presented as victims of supposed EU authoritarianism.

2. "The ticking climate bomb": Russia is presented domestically as a safe haven from climate impacts and economic fallout. The article says the Kremlin narrative paints Russia as less affected by rising temperatures than other regions, suggesting that climate change will expand arable land and open Arctic seaways to benefit Russian exports. Russia is portrayed as rich in energy, food, water and other resources, thus uniquely positioned to weather crises that could devastate other countries. Conversely, Europe is described as threatened by floods, fires, droughts and environmental disasters with increasing frequency. The Russian government is shown as committed to continued fossil‑fuel extraction, while pre‑renewables Europe is allegedly rushing into "economic self‑harm" by abandoning cheap Russian energy. Claims are cited that the EU’s climate agenda amounts to "economic suicide", sacrifices Europe’s prosperity and stability, and serves a "green ideology" rather than citizens’ interests.

3. "Apocalypse for Europe, opportunity for Russia": Pro‑Kremlin actors frame climate change as a looming catastrophe for Europe and the West, but also as an opportunity for Russia to rise as a stable and resource‑rich power. Narratives foresee droughts, storms, energy crises and social unrest in Europe, leading to de‑industrialisation, de‑population of rural areas and large‑scale migration. Russian commentators argue that European countries will remain dependent on Russian energy imports, and that Russia’s energy sector and natural resources make it a winner in any climate‑driven reshaping of global trade. During recent energy debates, pro‑Kremlin outlets blamed EU "Russophobic" politicians and officials for rising energy prices and economic hardship, alleging that European climate policies and sanctions against Russia would destroy Europe’s industry and well‑being while strengthening Russia’s position.

4. "Propaganda (and Russia) runs out of fuel": The article concludes that while Kremlin propaganda aggressively attacks EU climate policies, Russia itself faces growing climate‑related challenges: melting permafrost, wildfires, storms, floods, and other extreme events. These impact Russia’s infrastructure, agriculture, and population, particularly in Siberia and the Arctic. Nevertheless, these problems are downplayed or ignored in domestic propaganda, which instead blames the EU and the West for energy and climate crises. EUvsDisinfo argues that this is a crisis of Russia’s own making, rooted in its reliance on fossil‑fuel exports and its war against Ukraine, and that Kremlin narratives seek to deflect responsibility and maintain influence over European public opinion.

The article emphasises that Russian foreign information manipulation on climate is tightly integrated with energy narratives, sanctions, and attempts to undermine trust in EU institutions and policies. It notes the use of state‑controlled media, online outlets, and social platforms to spread false or misleading claims about EU climate laws, exaggerate economic costs, and depict any green transition as a plot against ordinary citizens. The piece highlights how climate‑related stories are interwoven with older Kremlin themes of EU collapse, Western decadence, and Russia as a besieged fortress yet future safe haven. Tags visible on the page include "FIMI" and "Climate change". The site is operated by the European External Action Service (EEAS), European Union, with contact address Rond‑Point Schuman 9, 1046 Brussels, Belgium, and the footer slogan "DON’T BE DECEIVED, QUESTION EVEN MORE."