The Embassy of Ukraine in North Macedonia issued a strong response to Russian disinformation narratives that have appeared in some Macedonian media outlets.
“With deep concern and indignation, we condemn the publication of content in the Macedonian media based on openly disinformative narratives, created and spread by the Russian propaganda machinery. The news articles titled ‘A march on Kyiv and overthrow of Zelensky being prepared?’ and ‘RIA Novosti: A march on Kyiv and overthrow of Zelensky being prepared’, published in Kumanovski Muabeti and Sloboden Pechat, referencing the Russian source RIA Novosti, are examples of a manipulative information campaign whose goal is the destabilization of Ukrainian society, undermining trust in the legitimate leadership of the country, and discrediting Ukraine’s struggle for freedom and independence,” stated the Ukrainian Embassy.
The Embassy called on Macedonian media outlets to fact-check and refrain from transmitting Russian propaganda messages.
“We call on Macedonian media to adhere to journalistic standards, verify facts, refrain from spreading Russian propaganda messages, and treat sources of information responsibly. In a time of war, when the Russian Federation uses information warfare with the same intensity as rockets aimed at children’s playgrounds, the spread of fake news in a NATO member country is unacceptable,” the statement reads.
The fight against disinformation is a shared responsibility of all, the Embassy emphasized.
“European countries must stand in defense of truth, democracy, and freedom. That’s why the fight against disinformation is a shared obligation — for journalists, politicians, and civil society. Ukraine deeply values the support of its partners and sincerely hopes that insidious and manipulative narratives will no longer have a place in the informational space of a country that shares European values,” said the Ukrainian diplomatic mission.
According to the Embassy, Russia has no interest in a ceasefire, and disinformation is part of the aggressor’s arsenal.
“The Russian Federation is not interested in a ceasefire — the dissemination of disinformation is one of the tools used to fuel deadly violence,” concludes the public statement of the Embassy of Ukraine in North Macedonia.
Previously, CIVIL published a report from its disinformation monitoring, in English, on the news portal Civil.Today. The report was well received by numerous relevant analysts and civil society leaders in Europe and the United States.
Xh.D.
