For many years, Western countries—including Poland—have been targets of Russia’s hybrid aggression. This aggression is not limited to specific nations but is aimed at undermining the unity of the West as a whole. A key focus of this strategy is NATO, which the Kremlin perceives as a nearly mythical adversary embodying all actions perceived as unfavorable to Moscow.
Russia portrays the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as its principal enemy. This is evidenced not only by the direct statements of Kremlin propagandists and affiliated media but also by their consistent framing of military actions in Ukraine as a “special military operation” rather than a war. The term “war” is primarily used when discussing NATO in this context. According to Russian disinformation, the conflict is not between Russia and the Armed Forces of Ukraine but between Russia and the “collective West.” This narrative serves dual purposes: it aims to conceal the failures of Russian authorities and their self-proclaimed “second world army”, which has been unable to achieve a decisive victory over a theoretically weaker Ukraine, and it bolsters domestic propaganda by suggesting that Russia is battling the world’s strongest military alliance. Successes by Ukrainian forces are attributed to “Polish” or “French mercenaries” and NATO’s “state-of-the-art” weaponry, further reinforcing this narrative.
Additionally, Russian disinformation portrays the European Union as NATO’s political arm, alleging that EU agents orchestrate events such as protests in Georgia or unfavorable election outcomes for pro-Russian forces in Moldova. This disinformation campaign is designed not only for short-term goals—such as reducing Western support for Ukraine and sowing discord within the West—but also for long-term objectives, such as the West’s permanent internal fragmentation, which would strengthen Russia’s global position.
Several key narratives form the foundation of Russia’s propaganda efforts against NATO:
- Internal Cohesion through Fear: Directed primarily at Russian domestic audiences, this narrative emphasizes NATO’s power and “aggressive intentions.” Fake reports, such as claims of Poland and Lithuania’s plans to invade Belarus or the “aggressive” nature of NATO’s military exercises, aim to consolidate Russian society and rally support for the Kremlin’s leadership.
- Narratives of NATO’s Weakness: These narratives highlight the Alliance’s alleged internal divisions, decadence, and impending collapse. Internally, they aim to boost confidence in Russia’s authoritarian governance. Externally, they seek to amplify subsequent narratives.
- Exacerbating Intra-NATO and EU Divisions: Russia exploits disagreements and conflicts between NATO and EU member states, portraying them as precursors to large-scale crises. For instance, disagreements between Poland and Germany or criticism of Hungary’s pro-Russian stance are exaggerated into existential threats to NATO’s unity.
- Polarizing Western Societies: By fueling political disputes and encouraging their radicalization, Kremlin trolls weaken Western governments’ decision-making capacities. This enables Russia to act more freely in areas it deems its sphere of influence.
- Driving a Wedge Between the West and Ukraine: Russia revives narratives about the alleged partitioning of Ukraine by its neighbors and highlights tensions between Ukrainian refugees and host societies. Simultaneously, it accuses Kyiv of ingratitude and inadequate support for its people, aiming to reduce Western aid to Ukraine while alienating Ukraine from NATO and the EU.
- Justifying Aggression through NATO’s “Threats”: This narrative seeks to mobilize domestic support for the war by blaming NATO’s “aggressive” policies for the conflict in Ukraine. It also aims to reduce anti-Russian sentiment in the West while eroding trust in Western governments.
- Exploiting Fear of Escalation: Russia employs fear-mongering tactics, including threats of World War III or nuclear conflict, to pressure Western nations into adopting more defensive postures, reducing aid to Ukraine, and accepting Russian conditions.
- Targeting NATO Authorities: This narrative warns that a Kremlin defeat could lead to the collapse of Russia and the loss of control over its nuclear arsenal, potentially allowing it to fall into the hands of criminal networks or terrorist groups. This messaging seeks to dissuade NATO from pursuing Russia’s outright defeat.
By employing these varied and often contradictory narratives, Russia’s disinformation campaign aims to sow confusion and undermine the political cohesion of the West. The contradictions within these narratives do not concern the Kremlin, as their primary goal is to create informational chaos. It is crucial not to fall prey to these manipulations. Even when some Russian claims have a kernel of truth, succumbing to emotional reactions without critical thought does not serve the interests or security of the West.
