Pro-Russian messages about Ukraine are actively circulating in African, Asian, and Latin American countries — new MIHR study

The Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR) has released an analytical report on how the Russian-Ukrainian war is covered in the media and on social networks across 63 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The research, conducted in collaboration with the company LOOQME, analyzed over 94,000 media mentions from October 2024 to May 2025.

Key finding: In African, Asian, and South American countries, pro-Russian messages are actively circulating — often framed as anti-Western criticism. In many cases, narratives were pushed relating to Donald Trump’s inauguration and his so-called “peace initiative” regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Mentions of Ukraine were mostly neutral (53%), while 40% were negative and only 7% positive. In Africa, pro-Russian narratives made up nearly a third of all messages. They are mostly disseminated via social media, often anonymously or through accounts with fewer than 5,000 followers.

Disinformation campaigns targeting Ukraine are well-coordinated and mainly focus on undermining the legitimacy of Ukrainian authorities, Western support, and the framing of the war as an act of Russian aggression. These campaigns frequently repeat the Russian propaganda narrative that Russia was “forced” to launch a full-scale war due to NATO’s eastward expansion.

MIHR urges Ukrainian authorities to intensify communication efforts: increase their social media presence in African, Asian, and South American countries; debunk disinformation; engage local opinion leaders; and focus on empathy-driven topics — such as civilian protection, child abductions, and humanitarian issues.

The full report with recommendations is available at the following link.