Russian Fake News Ecosystem Targets Syrian Human Rights Workers

Researchers from the University of Washington and Harvard analyzed an online "echo‑system" of propaganda sites and social accounts that amplify disinformation portraying Syrian Civil Defence volunteers (the "White Helmets") as terrorists and crisis actors; the analysis highlights prominent roles for Russia-linked outlets (RT, Sputnik) and a network of alternative media that repackages the same content to appeal to diverse audiences, resembling influence operations seen in the 2016 U.S. election.