Disinformation is a relatively new term, although it has existed in various forms for thousands of years. It becomes particularly problematic when spread by state actors. In this regard, Russia stands out, as it utilizes media and communication more effectively as part of its hybrid warfare strategy than the more developed West. The Western Balkans, as a post-conflict region with a fragile peace, is especially vulnerable to foreign disinformation campaigns. For Russia, the region represents a strategically important stage - one it seeks to keep within its sphere of influence due to traditional, historical, and cultural ties with Orthodox nations. The aim of this master's thesis is to demonstrate the presence of Russian disinformation campaigns in the Western Balkans through the model of the five pillars of the Russian propaganda and disinformation ecosystem, to examine their characteristics and goals. The thesis confirms the presence of Russian disinformation campaigns in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, across most elements of the five-pillar model. However, Russia is not acting alone in conducting its campaigns in the Western Balkans. It relies heavily on Serbia, which provides a logistical and operational base and serves as a launching pad for spreading Russian disinformation throughout the region. A distinctive feature of the Western Balkans is that Russian disinformation is largely disseminated through intermediaries - namely, pro-Russian media, online portals, political parties, social media channels, and radical or extremist groups in Serbia, the Republic of Srpska entity, and Montenegro.
|
