International Reporters is a website that disguises itself as a professional news resource to spread Russian disinformation.
This was reported by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The multilingual platform, launched with financial support from the Kremlin in November 2023, publishes direct headlines such as: 'The British political and power establishment continues to push Ukraine into the abyss' and 'New sanctions against Russia and Belarus. How the EU is killing its farmers.'
Currently, the platform hosts a dozen 'journalists' from eight different countries who promote the Russian occupation of Ukraine, military 'successes,' and praise Russia’s foreign policy, as informed by the Center for Strategic Communications.
Among these individuals are:
- Adrien Bokke – a Frenchman living in Russia (who gained Russian citizenship) spreading disinformation about the war in Ukraine in French media;
- Andrea Lucidi – a pro-Kremlin Italian who displayed the symbol of the Russian invasion 'Z' and sought 'asylum' in Russia;
- Vanessa Billi – a Brit who worked with Russian propagandists from RT and supported the former Syrian dictator Assad.
RSF found that in the first nine months of 2024, International Reporters (IR) received over €27,000 from the Kremlin-backed sanctioned organization 'Dialog Regions,' as well as direct funding from Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development.
'Behind the misleading name of International Reporters lies a new website serving Moscow’s interests. Funded by Kremlin propaganda networks, it employs foreign propagandists, often based in Russia, to reach an international audience. Their so-called 'reports' spread Russian narratives justifying the invasion of Ukraine and advancing Kremlin policies globally. RSF condemns this propaganda tool which contaminates the information space,' said Jeanne Cavellier, head of RSF’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk.
Although International Reporters has a relatively small audience, RSF notes that its strength lies in the authors, key figures in Russian propaganda. In addition to the previously mentioned pseudo-journalists, RSF highlights the platform’s co-founders – Victoria Smorodina and Christelle Neant.
- Victoria Smorodina – the chief editor of International Reporters, also runs the Russian company 'Laboratory of Attention,' founded in October 2023, primarily funding the platform.
- Christelle Neant – originally from France, moved from Belgium to occupied Donetsk in 2016, later obtaining Russian citizenship. She created the French-language propaganda site 'Donbass Insider,' which became the predecessor to International Reporters. She now conducts interviews and reports with local residents from occupied towns in eastern Ukraine.
Additionally, according to Reporters Without Borders, the news agency is expanding its network in Africa. During the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in 2024, they signed a cooperation agreement with the Cameroonian media group For You Media, led by politician Serge Matomba.
