In this paper, Todd Leventhal analyzes Soviet and Russian state-sponsored disinformation, emphasizing its moral dimension, historical roots, objectives, and consistent methods. A central theme is the Kremlin's rejection of "bourgeois morality," leading to a cynical and ruthless approach to information manipulation. The document highlights how this lack of moral constraint allows Russia to engage in actions that are "extremely dangerous" and "shock ordinary Western citizens," such as the alleged 1999 apartment bombings to bring Putin to power and the invasions of Ukraine. Countering this disinformation is presented not merely as fact-checking, but as a moral imperative that also serves to educate Western audiences about the "vile state actions" of Russia and other authoritarian regimes. The enduring objectives of Russian disinformation campaigns, largely unchanged since the Soviet era, include weakening adversaries, deepening disagreements within alliances (e.g., NATO), and promoting anti-Western sentiment. The methods involve sophisticated "laundering" of propaganda through local media contacts and amplifying divisive narratives, as exemplified by current operations in Latin America and historical campaigns targeting Lithuania.
