The Hidden Face of Pravda: Yevgeny Shevchenko, Architect of Pro-Kremlin Disinformation and 2025's Disinformer of the Year

United States - Ekhbary News Agency

The Hidden Face of Pravda: Yevgeny Shevchenko, Architect of Pro-Kremlin Disinformation and 2025's Disinformer of the Year

In a symbolic and revealing move highlighting the scale of contemporary information warfare, Yevgeny Shevchenko has been designated “Disinformer of the Year 2025” by Newsguard, the American company dedicated to combating false information. His name is now inextricably linked to the “Pravda” network, a conglomerate of pro-Kremlin websites whose name, meaning “truth” in Russian, resonates with a biting irony given its actual mission. This sprawling network is reported to have published a staggering 6.3 million propaganda articles during 2025, inundating the global information space with biased narratives and altered facts. This designation underscores the growing threat that organized disinformation campaigns pose to democratic stability and public trust in media.

The “Pravda” network is far from limited in its reach. According to analyses, it has managed to infiltrate dozens of countries, disseminating its content in no fewer than 49 different languages. This capacity to operate on a global, multilingual scale testifies to a sophisticated strategy and substantial logistical and financial resources. The objective is clear: to sow discord, influence public opinion, and legitimize the Kremlin's positions on the international stage, often by undermining the credibility of independent news sources and democratic institutions.

Yevgeny Shevchenko emerges as the central figure behind this nebulous operation. While the details of his background and modus operandi often remain veiled, his role as coordinator or architect of this disinformation enterprise is now established by Newsguard. The awarding of the “Disinformer of the Year” title is not merely a reprimand but a recognition of the systemic danger his work represents. Newsguard, renowned for its evaluation of the reliability of information sources, uses rigorous criteria to identify major disinformation actors, based on the analysis of the dissemination of fallacious content, narrative manipulation, and the impact on the information ecosystem.

The tactics employed by the Pravda network are manifold and constantly evolving. They include the use of fake social media accounts, the creation of mirror news sites that mimic the appearance of legitimate media, and the exploitation of debate polarization. The question of how artificial intelligence models are sometimes trapped is particularly pertinent. Platform algorithms, designed to maximize engagement, can inadvertently amplify disinformation content, especially when it is cleverly formulated to elicit strong emotional reactions. Furthermore, advancements in generative AI enable the production of increasingly realistic texts, images, and videos, making the detection of “fake news” ever more complex, even for sophisticated systems.

In the face of this omnipresent threat, the fight against Pravda and similar networks has become a global priority. Chine Labbé, Europe Editor-in-Chief at Newsguard, emphasizes the importance of a multi-dimensional approach. This involves not only the diligent work of fact-checkers and investigative journalists but also increased public education in digital literacy. Technology platforms are also called upon to assume their responsibilities by strengthening their moderation policies and investing in more effective detection tools. International collaboration is also essential to dismantle these transnational networks.

Concrete examples of disinformation are numerous and often alarming. RFI's Info vérif cell, through Olivier Fourt, recently highlighted emblematic cases, such as the false information claiming that Ukrainian Javelin missiles had ended up in the hands of Nigerian jihadists. Similarly, the dissemination of a video purportedly of a “red light district” in Accra, actually generated by artificial intelligence, perfectly illustrates the increasing sophistication of visual manipulation tools. These incidents, while not directly attributed to the Pravda network in the initial information, are representative of the disinformation landscape that actors like Shevchenko exploit and exacerbate.

In summary, the phenomenon of Yevgeny Shevchenko and the Pravda network embodies the major challenges of the digital age. The ability of an individual or a group to flood the world with millions of propaganda articles, by exploiting the vulnerabilities of information systems and human cognitive biases, requires a robust and coordinated response. The recognition of these actors by organizations like Newsguard is a crucial step in raising public awareness and encouraging collective vigilance, which is indispensable for preserving information integrity and the health of our democracies.

Ekhbary News Agency