Faces of russian propaganda in the TOT: andrey kior
The Center for Countering Disinformation continues its series on key figures behind russian propaganda in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Today, we introduce andrey kior, a former Ukrainian journalist from Mariupol who switched sides to support the occupiers.
▫️ Before russia’s full-scale invasion, kior was a familiar face in Mariupol’s media scene, even running for the Mariupol City Council in 2020, though he failed to secure enough votes.
▫️ Following the city’s occupation, kior assumed the role of head of the information and analytical department of Mariupol’s occupation administration, where he actively engaged in propaganda on behalf of the russian authorities.
▫️ In 2022, he mobilized people and resources across the city to launch the pro-russian TV channel Novyi Mariupol, which later transformed into Mariupol 24—now the primary outlet for kremlin propaganda. However, “specialists” from st. petersburg eventually sidelined kior from overseeing the channel’s operations.
After his removal from the occupation administration, kior continued promoting propaganda in russia’s interests through his YouTube channel. He pushes the narrative of a “happy occupation,” claiming that Mariupol is “prospering” and has “incredible prospects” under russian rule. In interviews with propaganda outlets, he insists that the city’s residents allegedly welcome the arrival of russian forces. Kior portrays the occupation as “liberation” and paints a “bleak” picture of life in Ukraine, alleging “harassment of russian speakers” and “abductions of dissidents.”
In October 2022, kior was officially charged with collaboration activity in Ukraine, and in December 2023, the Zhovtnevyi District Court of Dnipro sentenced him to five years in prison in absentia.
