Pig's head under the door: russian propagandists received "gifts" from unknown people

russian propagandists Konstantin Sivkov and Timofey Sergeitsev, known for their support of Putin's policies and the war in Ukraine, found themselves at the center of a disturbing incident. Unidentified individuals threw pigs' heads under their doors, prompting immediate action as both called the police to report the threats against them.

Sergeytsev, a columnist for RIA-Novosti, revealed that he had been subjected to multiple threats, harassing calls, and intimidating letters leading up to the incident. On September 26, around 10 p.m., he discovered a black bag containing a pig's head in front of his door, prompting him to contact law enforcement. Similarly, Konstantin Sivkov, a Russian military “expert” and advocate of Putin's agenda, also received a “gift” in the form of a pig's head and subsequently filed a complaint with the police. He reported receiving an anonymous phone call following the incident, during which an unknown person demanded that he cease supporting the so-called "SVO" and issued death threats.

European Commission expresses concern over Russian disinformation efforts

In addition to the unsettling events involving the Russian propagandists, Russian disinformation campaigns have been causing concern on a broader scale. Vice-President of the European Commission, Vera Yurova, recently called upon technology giants, including Elon Musk's social networking site Twitter (X), to take greater responsibility in combatting the spread of Russian disinformation.

Yurova highlighted Russia's ongoing "war of ideas," aimed at contaminating the European information space with half-truths and lies, ultimately creating a false impression that democracy is no better than autocracy. She further emphasized the need for major platforms such as Google, Microsoft, Meta, TikTok, and others to actively oppose Russian manipulation, particularly in the lead-up to elections.

As for Platform X, which had previously opted out of voluntary adherence to the EU Disinformation Code, it remains subject to rigorous content monitoring regulations under European law. Yurova underscored that Twitter cannot evade complying with these regulations, especially with the Digital Services Act in full effect, concluding with a message that Twitter must adhere to strict laws, and their actions will be closely monitored.

russian disinformation targeting Poland debunked

Furthermore, Russian disinformation campaigns have recently targeted Poland, spreading false information about the alleged inclusion of Polish President Andrzej Duda in the "Peacemaker" database in connection with a purported ban on the import of Ukrainian grain. The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation promptly debunked this fake news, asserting that there is no mention of the Polish leader on the resource's website. They concluded that this disinformation attempt aims to discredit Ukraine in the eyes of Polish citizens and harm relations between the two friendly nations.