The dissemination of Russian narratives and disinformation in Turkey—the primary focus of this analysis—is important to consider its structure and the fact that it can be divided into two branches or functions. One targets Turkish citizens, aiming to persuade them of the Russian point of view. The other is directed against Turkey and its policies. The intensity and nature of Russian activities shift depending on the relations between Turkey and Russia.
This report, however, will focus on disinformation aimed at Turkish society. Two reasons justify this focus. First, the scale of "classic" Russian disinformation operations against Turkey is limited due to the "information chaos" generated independently by Turkish media. This forces Russia to adapt its information warfare to local conditions. Second, the emphasis on disinformation targeting Turkish society appears more significant from the perspective of Poland and, more broadly, Western countries. It facilitates the infiltration of pro-Russian narratives into Turkey's information space and could ultimately influence the stance of this allied nation toward Western structures.
This report will analyze Russian information activities and present their impact on political, social, and international dynamics. Using data from Turkish-language Russian media (e.g., Sputnik Türkiye) and social media, we will identify examples of the influence of Russian narratives on Turkish society and describe the tools employed for this purpose. The report concludes with recommendations whose implementation could support efforts to counter Russian disinformation and its effects in Turkey.
