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Content: But traditional thuggish methods of propaganda and direct control used by the Russian government cannot be considered effective from the professional standpoint and acceptable from the viewpoint of journalist morality." [ 18]
Following Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, a significant increase in Russian propaganda was noted by NATO.[19] In February 2017, a fabricated audio recording of NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenbergsupposedly interacting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenkowas published by Russian news website Life.ru. The supposed voice of Poroshenko was revealed to be Russian pranksters. Russia has been accused of comparing Ukrainian Nationalist fighters in Donbass to members of ISIS.[20] Political scholar Nikolay Kozhanov has claimed that Russia has used propaganda to convey nationalistic as well as pro-Assad messages during the Syrian Civil War. Kozhanov claims that Russia has made an effort through propaganda to paint Russia and Syria as a stable force "in the struggle against instability caused by the Americans and terrorism supported by the US regional partners." [ 20]
RT and Sputniknews agency are also accused of spreading false information. [ 21][22][23][24]In   the downing of  Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, the Bellingcatwebsite of Eliot Higginsgave evidence about the manipulation of satellite images released by the Russian Ministry of Defensewhich was used by RT and Sputnik news agency based in Edinburgh, Scotland. [ 25][26]
See also: Crucified Boy
Use of social media[edit]
Further information: Cyberwarfare by Russia
Russia has been accused of using social mediaplatforms to spread messages of propaganda to a global audience by spreading fake newsas well as putting out advertisements and creating pseudo-activist movements.[27] The popularity of Sputnik on social media and its use of viral, clickbaitheadlines has led it to be described as "the BuzzFeedof Propaganda" by Foreign Policymagazine. [