From Monday, European citizens have at their disposal a new educational tool launched by the European Commission to identify fake news, in particular Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine, DPA and Agerpres reported.

Volodymyr SolovyovPhoto: Kommersant photo agency / ddp USA / Profimedia

“Russian disinformation about the invasion of Ukraine tried to ‘create confusion and divert attention from Russia’s aggression and war crimes,'” says the EC press release.

This disinformation is “manipulative and carried out deliberately and in a coordinated manner” to undermine the democratic process, the European Commission’s diplomatic service said.

A new tool, called “Find Out” and available on the EUvsdisinfo.eu website, explains the disinformation tactics of the Kremlin’s media system.

Those who visit the site receive instructions on how to spot misinformation, and through quizzes and games, they learn how not to spread false information.

The EU is stepping up efforts to combat Russian disinformation

EUvsdisinfo.eu was launched in 2015 to help the EU detect and track Russian manipulation campaigns targeting the EU bloc and educate the public on how to respond.

The EU sees disinformation as a “growing political and security challenge” and has made many efforts in recent months to counter the Kremlin’s rhetoric about European sanctions against Russia.

Kremlin propaganda claims that EU economic sanctions against Russian exports have led to an increase in global food prices. In response, the EU has repeatedly emphasized exemptions from numerous packages of sanctions on Russian goods and agricultural products.

The Kremlin also claims that an EU-brokered deal to allow grain exports to leave Ukrainian ports after the Russian naval blockade did not reach the countries that needed it most, a charge the EU rejects.

The EU banned Sputnik and Russia Today, considered two of Moscow’s main disinformation channels, on February 27, 3 days after President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine.

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