New fake about Ukraine’s alleged “sale of western weapons on the black market”
russian propaganda has intensified its long-running disinformation campaign alleging the so-called “sale of Western weapons by Ukraine on the black market.”
▫️ This time, pro-russian resources are spreading false claims that “over 70% of the weapons that ended up with the Mexican cartel ‘Jalisco New Generation’ are Western supplies delivered to Ukraine.” As purported “evidence,” they circulate a video bearing the logo of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
▫️ In reality, no such video or similar statements exist on the official platforms of the Institute. The video in question is fabricated content designed in the style of the well-known analytical institution. Such forgeries are a hallmark of the russian disinformation network Matryoshka, which systematically produces fake materials under the brands of reputable Western organizations.
▫️ A further characteristic of this campaign is the coordinated amplification of the fake by bot accounts on social media, including in the comments under posts by prominent media outlets marking the anniversary of the start of russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. This indicates the organized nature of the operation.
Since 2022, kremlin propaganda has consistently promoted the narrative of the “mass sale of Western weapons” without providing any evidence. The purpose of such information attacks is to discredit Ukraine, undermine trust in the mechanisms overseeing military assistance, and reduce support for Kyiv among citizens of partner states.
