Shadow Play: Unraveling the Response of Europe’s Far-Right to the Moscow Attack and the Russian Propaganda Machine
In the wake of the recent Moscow terrorist attack, there is a complex web of geopolitical dynamics at play, including the potential for responses from European far-right political parties. These parties, some with known ties to Russian propaganda efforts, could leverage the attack to push their narratives, possibly blaming Ukraine, NATO, or other entities according to their political agendas.
Russia’s connection with various far-right groups in Europe has been well-documented. The Russian Imperial Movement (RIM), designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, has provided training in St. Petersburg for far-right radicals from Sweden, Germany, Slovakia, Finland, and Denmark. These groups have been involved in violent acts, such as bombings targeting refugee centers and leftist organizations. The RIM’s leader, Stanislav Vorobyov, has established links with extreme-right groups across Europe, and some RIM members have even participated in the conflict in Ukraine, supporting Russian efforts.
Beyond RIM, The Base, another neo-Nazi group operated from Russia, has been involved in building networks of white supremacists and instigating racially motivated attacks, primarily in the United States but with implications in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The founder of The Base, Rinaldo Nazzaro, operates from Russia and continues to support the group’s extremist ideologies online.
The connections extend to political realms as well. For example, members of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have sought links with Russia, and Britain First’s leader, Paul Golding, has been investigated for receiving financial support from Russian sources.
The war in Ukraine has somewhat diminished the influence of these mainstream pro-Putin politicians in Europe, as public opinion largely disfavors Russia’s actions. However, fringe groups continue to support Putin, providing him with a tool to destabilize Europe. These extremists have been receiving military training and experience in the Ukrainian conflict.
The current situation reveals Russia’s long-standing strategy of exploiting existing societal fissures in Europe. This has included interfering in political processes such as the Brexit referendum, the Catalan separatist movement, and elections in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Through these actions, Russia aims to cultivate instability and undermine Western influence.
In the context of the Moscow attack, it is plausible that European far-right parties and groups with ties to Russia might use the incident to further their agendas. By framing the attack in a manner that aligns with their political goals, they could stoke anti-Ukraine or anti-NATO sentiments. This reaction would be consistent with their history of exploiting crises to push narratives that align with their ideologies and potentially with Russian propaganda efforts.
