Faces of russian propaganda in the TOT: Sergei Meshkovoy
The CCD continues its series of reports on the main perpetrators of Russian propaganda in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Today we introduce Sergei Meshkovoy, a propagandist from Luhansk and editor-in-chief of the occupation news agency “Luhansk Information Center” (LIC).
Long before he landed in occupied Luhansk, Meshkovoy tried to build a political career. Since 2008 he has been a member of the Socialist Party of Ukraine, and in 2012 he was even nominated to the Verkhovna Rada on its list. After that, he headed several media projects in Crimea. After the Russian occupation of the peninsula, he began to cooperate with Russia. In the summer of 2014, he joined the board of the Russian-controlled Union of Crimean Journalists, and in 2015 he was appointed to a position in Luhansk.
The news agency headed by Meshkovoy promotes the ideas of the “Russian world” and systematically publishes materials aimed at discrediting Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Russian government is presented in a positive light to encourage the local population to support the occupation administration and to create the illusion of caring for the residents of the Temporarily Occupied Territories (TOT). In his comments to propaganda media, Meshkovoy himself refers to the occupation of Ukrainian territories as “reunification with Russia” and “return to the home port”.
He also organizes propaganda events, including those aimed at brainwashing children and youth.
Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the propagandist until 2034.
