Nowadays, Russia uses a kind of 4 pronged strategy<\/a>, coined by disinformation expert Ben Nimmo, designed to influence, confuse, and control public perception: dismiss, distort, distract, dismay. Much like the \u201cactive measures\u201d tactics employed by the KGB during the Cold War, these instruments are aimed at influencing events, undermining adversaries, and shaping public opinion.<\/p>\n The best way to arm oneself against them is to understand them. In this article, we dissect the common methods used to manipulate perception.<\/p>\n 1. Dismiss: Delegitimizing the opposition<\/strong> This tactic often involves labeling opposing voices as \u201cWestern puppets,\u201d \u201cRussophobic,\u201d or agents of a \u201cglobal conspiracy.\u201d By framing dissenters as biased or illegitimate, the Kremlin shifts the focus from the validity of their arguments to their supposed ulterior motives. It essentially uses \u201cwhataboutism\u201d to deflect accusations back onto the accuser. For example in one interview between Vladamir Putin and NBC\u2019s Keir Simmons just before the full-scale invasion, Simmons asks the Russian leader about unfair elections within Russia. Instead of addressing the question, Putin deflects<\/a> by employing the tactic of \u201cwhataboutism,\u201d pointing to the discord surrounding the 2020 US election and launching into a lengthy tangent on the subject.This approach discredits independent journalists, human rights organizations, and even entire governments that challenge Russia\u2019s actions, effectively stifling dissent and creating an echo chamber for state-approved narratives.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/storage.united24media.com\/thumbs\/720x\/4\/2f\/0f1bc705ba044408709231240f83c2f4.png\")
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\nA cornerstone of Russian propaganda is the strategy of dismissal, which seeks to delegitimize critics and undermine their credibility. You know the old argument that if you say something enough times, it becomes true? It\u2019s that one.<\/p>\n