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The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused an unprecedented outflow of Ukrainian refugees to Europe and other neighboring countries. Russia has also faced its own waves of emigration, which reached their climax after the announcement of "partial mobilization" in the country on September 21, 2022. This article analyzes how Russian state-run media have been treating emigrants and covering the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On April 2 a series of immensely graphic images from Bucha, a suburb of the Ukrainian capital, were distributed by the leading international mass media. As details emerged, it became clear that Russian forces had massacred civilians in Bucha. Russian officials and state-run media have, however, been expressing an alternative view, using a “firehose of falsehood” to mislead domestic audiences and sow doubt about the cause of the massacre. Russian propaganda techniques employed in relation to Bucha include blaming the Ukrainian side, demonizing the Ukrainian government as “Nazis,” alluding to conspiracies that “the West makes up against Russia,” and pretending that “we were not there.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine erupted, the country's authorities declared a war on Western social media as well. In March, such social media giants as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were blocked in Russia, giving their local competitor--named VK--a virtual monopoly in the country. Millions of Russian Facebook and Instagram users have flocked to this social network. Though VK may seem similar to Facebook, it is drastically different due to its proximity to the Russian government. The article examines the core peculiarities of VK and the risks its users may face, especially, in the context of war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]