Russian propaganda on messaging apps and social media can impact mainstream media and Western discourse.

The claim that Russian propaganda on messaging apps and social media can impact mainstream media and Western discourse is supported by several sources. Russian disinformation campaigns have been documented to use social media platforms to spread misleading information, which can influence public opinion and political discourse in Western countries. For instance, Russia has been known to employ a strategy called the "Firehose of Falsehood," which involves disseminating a large volume of messages across various platforms to confuse and mislead audiences RAND Corporation. This approach has been effective in shaping narratives, as seen in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where Russian misinformation has been used to sway public opinion and undermine support for Ukraine Georgetown Journal of International Affairs. Additionally, the use of social media algorithms that prioritize engaging content can amplify the spread of disinformation, further entrenching political polarization and affecting mainstream media narratives Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. These campaigns are not only aimed at influencing elections but also at sowing discord and mistrust in Western societies, as evidenced by the spread of false narratives during the 2016 U.S. presidential election Brookings Institution. Therefore, the impact of Russian propaganda on Western discourse is a well-documented phenomenon, with significant implications for media and public perception.