EU Awareness Centre Attends Discussion on Russia’s Disinformation Industry in Vienna

The Chairman of the EU Awareness Centre, Ambassador David Dondua, participated in the public discussion “How Does Russia’s Disinformation Industry Work – and Can It Be Replicated Elsewhere?”, which examined the evolution of the Kremlin’s disinformation ecosystem and the broader implications for democratic societies.

The discussion featured Ilya Yablokov, Russian-British academic, author, and founder of the University of Sheffield’s Disinformation Research Cluster, together with Dietmar Pichler, Head Editor and Analyst of INVED.eu, founder of the Disinfo Resilience Network, and Vice President of Vienna Goes Europe.

Drawing on his forthcoming book, Words That Kill: Inside the Kremlin’s Disinformation Industry, Yablokov explained how Russia has developed a sophisticated ecosystem that extends far beyond state-controlled media. He described an interconnected network of media organisations, political consultants, pollsters, academics, and other professionals who collectively reinforce and amplify official narratives, shaping public opinion both within Russia and internationally.

The discussion also explored the resilience of independent journalism in Russia, the effectiveness of the Kremlin’s information operations, and the risks that similar disinformation models could emerge in other countries where democratic institutions are weakened or fail to respond effectively.

During the discussion, participants examined the role of digital platforms, foreign interference, hybrid threats, and societal resilience, highlighting the importance of strengthening democratic institutions, media literacy, and fact-based public discourse to counter coordinated manipulation campaigns.

The event closely aligns with the EU Awareness Centre’s mission to promote public resilience against disinformation and hybrid threats through research, analysis, and public engagement. As information manipulation increasingly becomes a strategic tool of authoritarian regimes, understanding the mechanisms behind such campaigns remains essential for developing effective responses at both national and European levels.