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Do to Russia what Russia did to us in this timeline.
This is as much of a conspiracy theory as the right spouts, though I'm not against it
No it's not. There's an absolute metric fuckton of evidence of Russian Disinformation and foreign Propaganda programs have targeted nearly all Western countries. Some more effectively than others.
Even if you choose to completely ignore the direct evidence of not only Russian leverage against high level politicians, but even full intelligence asset control, the fact that Russia has teams manipulating online conversations with fake information is a known fact with no basis for denial.
Unless you have no capability of critical thinking like the antivaxxers that is. But if that's the case you have bigger problems like probably being one of the many idiots that fell for the obvious bullshit.
The thing is, you don't even have to fall for it. You can very much not believe what is being said to you, and still be influenced in ways that the propagandist intends. One major technique being used is the amplification of existing discord. Both parties of the conflict ALREADY don't believe what the other is saying. They amplify a message you believe is wrong, inducing you to fight all the more against that thing, think about it, be upset about it, hate it, all the while the propagandist is exploiting the cover provided.
Timeline of modern examples of Russian "hybrid warfare"
2007 – Estonia Cyberattacks
After Estonia removed a Soviet war memorial, it was hit by massive cyberattacks targeting government, banks, and media.
One of the first clear cases of state-linked cyberwarfare combined with information warfare.
2008 – Russo-Georgian War
Russia used cyberattacks, propaganda, separatist movements in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and limited military force.
Information manipulation portrayed Georgia as the aggressor.
2014 – Crimea and Eastern Ukraine
Crimea annexation: Russian "little green men" seized key points while propaganda campaigns confused the population and international observers.
Donbas War: Russia armed and supported separatists while denying direct involvement, using cyberwarfare and disinformation heavily.
2015 – Syrian Conflict
Russia intervened in Syria, blending military force, private military companies (e.g., Wagner Group), propaganda, and diplomatic manipulation.
Russia portrayed itself as fighting "terrorism" while targeting opposition forces.
2016 – U.S. Presidential Election Interference
Russian intelligence agencies (GRU, FSB) engaged in cyberattacks, hacked emails, social media manipulation, and disinformation campaigns.
This was a major hybrid campaign aiming to sow distrust and division.
2017 – NotPetya Cyberattack
Originating from Russia and targeting Ukraine, the NotPetya malware spread globally, crippling companies and infrastructure.
Disguised as ransomware but actually destructive sabotage.
2018 – Skripal Poisoning in the UK
Russian operatives used a banned nerve agent in an assassination attempt.
Propaganda and diplomatic misinformation campaigns followed to confuse attribution.
Blending covert action, deniability, and information distortion.
2020 – Belarus Protests
Russia supported Belarusian regime of Lukashenko against widespread protests.
Information campaigns, security force support, and diplomatic pressure were combined.
2022 – Full-scale Invasion of Ukraine
Initially framed as a "special military operation" to "de-Nazify" Ukraine.
Involved military invasion, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, economic blackmail (like gas supply threats), and the use of mercenary groups.
Continued narrative warfare domestically and internationally.
2022–2025 – Global Disinformation and Influence Campaigns
Russia expanded its hybrid toolkit:
Artificial amplification of anti-Western narratives globally.
Building alliances with other disinformation actors (e.g., Iran, China).
Using energy markets, food supply disruptions, and cyberattacks as pressure points.
Strengthening alternative media ecosystems (like RT, Sputnik, Telegram channels) to bypass bans in Europe and elsewhere.
Emergence of AI-driven propaganda (deepfakes, AI-generated fake news).