Russia-linked accounts spread far-right narrative online during Ceuta migration crisis, analysis finds

Disinformation campaigns linked to Russian intelligence actively promoted far-right narratives during the recent migration crisis in Ceuta, Spain. An analysis by the counter-disinformation group 411 revealed that these accounts reached more than 500,000 individuals in the initial days of the crisis.

These Russia-linked social media accounts frequently disseminated destabilizing narratives across Europe, often echoing far-right talking points concerning immigration. Experts from 411 and other organizations noted the significant scale and coordination of this disinformation, suggesting a well-established machinery or structure is in place. Saman Nazari, lead researcher at Brussels-based nonprofit Alliance4Europe, commented on the recurring escalation of such tactics across Europe during crises, finding the timing too coincidental for mere bandwagoning.

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We keep seeing this across Europe and we find it very interesting. It seems like there is some type of machinery in place, or structure.

The barrage of propaganda began on August 1, the day after an estimated 49,000 people attempted to cross into Ceuta from Morocco. The accounts framed the events as a deliberately coordinated "assault," implying complicity from authorities. Some posts incorporated Islamophobic and antisemitic conspiracy theories into this narrative. According to 411's analysis of approximately 4.5 million social media posts, these narratives were rapidly reproduced in seven languages, garnering over 720,000 views within six hours on August 1 alone.

Further analysis indicated that other far-right accounts called for nationalists to converge on Ceuta to "patrol" businesses and homes, with some actions appearing coordinated. Social media played a substantial role in the crisis, both in encouraging crossings and shaping the response. Online rumors led young Moroccans to believe the border was open, while others shared logistical advice on reaching the territory. This "peer-to-peer logistics chatter" among potential migrants was largely organic, originating from numerous small, anonymous-looking individual accounts rather than a single identifiable recruiter.

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Quite regularly, we are seeing this escalation happening across Europe now, with these types of crises. It is too much of a coincidence to be a bandwagoning effect.