Faces of russian propaganda in the TOT: Rodion Miroshnik
The CCD continues its series of reports on key figures behind russian propaganda in the occupied territories of Ukraine. One of the most influential propagandists in occupied Luhansk is rodion miroshnik.
▫️ Before russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014, miroshnik served the information interests of the now-banned Party of Regions.
▫️ He supported the occupation regime, later becoming a “politician” in the so-called “Luhansk People’s Republic” (lpr). From 2015 to 2022, he participated in the Contact Group negotiations on the peaceful resolution of the situation in eastern Ukraine, representing the lpr but essentially acting on behalf of the russian federation. Through this role, he helped promote the russian narrative of a “civil war in Donbas.”
▫️ Early in russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a video surfaced of miroshnik at russian combat positions, in which he called on Ukrainian forces to surrender.
▫️ In 2023, the russian foreign ministry created a special position for miroshnik, “ambassador-at-large for crimes of the Kyiv regime,” which he uses to spread disinformation about alleged crimes by the Ukrainian military.
▫️ Ukrainian law enforcement placed miroshnik on a wanted list in 2017. He is accused of participating in a terrorist organization, attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, aiding in the seizure of state power, and actions to alter Ukraine’s territorial boundaries. Since 2023, he has faced sanctions from both Ukraine and the EU.
