The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) reports weekly on the methods used by
extremists to exploit the Internet and social media platforms to recruit fol


<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>
Extremist Content Online: Extremist Groups Spread Propaganda Regarding Russian
Invasion Of Ukraine

 

(New York, N.Y.) — The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) reports weekly on the
methods used by extremists to exploit the Internet and social media platforms
to recruit followers and incite violence. Following Russia’s invasion of
Ukraine, various extremist groups and individuals took to multiple online
platforms such as RocketChat, Element, Hoop, and Telegram to promote their
ideology in relation to the invasion. Pro-ISIS communities noted with
satisfaction that countries that had fought against the terrorist group were
now fighting each other. Some neo-Nazis and far-right groups posted antisemitic
conspiracy theories claiming the war was planned by Jews in Russia and Ukraine,
whereas others stated they supported white people and not a specific country.

 

On Telegram, CEP researchers found an archive of ISIS propaganda. Also, on
Telegram, a neo-Nazi group in New England celebrated the interruption of a
reading at a left-wing library in Providence, Rhode Island. Finally, there were
several versions of the Christchurch terrorist attack video and content
glorifying the attacker found online.

 

Pro-ISIS Online Communities Note Russian Invasion of Ukraine

 

Pro-ISIS online communities on RocketChat, Element, Hoop, and Telegram
celebrated the February 24 Russian invasion of Ukraine, stating that those who
had fought against the terrorist group were now fighting each other. Channels
and chat participants posted memes and sought to portray NATO, especially
Germany, as weak and unable to help Ukraine. Other posts included open-source
information regarding Russian attacks, while others celebrated the loss of life
on both the Ukrainian and Russian sides. At least one chat participant was
excited by the potential availability of small arms during and after the
conflict.

 

Neo-Nazis and Extreme Right on Telegram Post Antisemitic and Homophobic
Content in Reaction to Russian Invasion of Ukraine

 

On Telegram, Neo-Nazis and the extreme right were divided on Russia’s February
24 invasion of Ukraine. Most accounts posted antisemitic conspiracy theories
and described the invasion as a “brothers’ war” secretly planned by Jews on
both sides of the conflict. Other Telegram accounts posted a 4chan thread
claiming that Jews secretly controlled Russia.

 

A website dedicated to spreading the work of neo-Nazi James Mason
<[link removed]> made a statement in
support of Ukrainian fascists but also condemned the Ukrainian government,
making an antisemitic allegation that the government was controlled by Jews.
Neo-Nazi accelerationist Telegram channels made antisemitic posts about the
conflict and noted that the “real enemies” were in the U.S. and not in Russia
or Ukraine. One accelerationist channel stated that individuals should use the
current moment to continue building decentralized cells in case the war in
Ukraine takes up the U.S. government’s attention. Overall, accelerationist
channels hoped for chaos and a breakdown in order in the U.S.

 

Rise Above Movement
<[link removed]> inspired
Active Clubs posted antisemitic content and stated that they hoped for an end
to the conflict. One Active Club chapter had initially stated on February 21
that they supported the Russian-backed breakaway regions of Luhansk and Donetsk
because they were fighting against Jews, liberalism, and “globalism,” however,
the admin deleted the post. On February 24, the same group issued a modified
statement, stating that they supported white people and not one specific side
in the conflict.

 

The main Proud Boys Telegram channel posted homophobic memes denigrating both
Ukraine and the U.S., and a Proud Boys affiliated media group alleged that the
U.S. government would conduct a false flag attack to push the U.S. into a war
with Russia.

 

Archive of ISIS Propaganda Videos Located on Telegram

 

CEP researchers located an archive of ISIS
<[link removed]> propaganda on Telegram,
accessible after messaging a Telegram user and then being sent propaganda
content in a person-to-person message. The individual contact account was
advertised on RocketChat and Element. The method is used to circumvent
Telegram’s efforts to remove ISIS channels and chats.

ISIS propaganda on Telegram

 

New England Neo-Nazi Group Celebrates Disrupting Event at Left-Wing Library

 

The neo-Nazi group Nationalist Social Club
<[link removed]> (NSC)
celebrated interrupting a reading at a left-wing library in Providence, Rhode
Island, on February 21. In a video posted on Telegram, Gab, and Odysee, NSC
members chanted white supremacist slogans outside of the library, knocked on
windows, and waved a swastika flag before police arrived and the group fled on
foot. On Telegram and Gab, the group celebrated shutting down the reading. The
Odysee video had over 600 views approximately two days after NSC posted it. 

 

On the group’s main Telegram channel, NSC favorably noted the media attention
they had received after the action. The event was also celebrated by several 
Rise Above Movement-inspired
<[link removed]> Active Club
chapters and at least one channel where the admins claim to be members of the
Proud Boys. Positive coverage of the event was also located on Gab and Twitter,
the latter by a journalist affiliated with the far-right news website National
File. Telegram has removed at least three channels affiliated with NSC,
including two belonging to their Rhode Island chapter before February 21,
however, several of the group’s accounts, including their main account, are
still on the communications app.

 

Christchurch Terrorist Video Located on Multiple Platforms

 

CEP researchers located several versions of the Christchurch terrorist attack
video or content glorifying the attacker. The full attack video was located on
the file sharing site Catbox and an additional online file archive site.
Footage from the attack video modified to appear like a video game was also
located on Catbox and a Russian imageboard. CEP also located two posts made by
the same account on Instagram that included a modified photo from the attack
video and a recreation of the attack in the video game Minecraft. Several posts
glorifying the terrorist attack, including posting the video, the attacker’s
manifesto, and files for recreating the attack video in the video game Garry’s
Mod (also known as GMod), were located on an online file archive site.

 

###

 

Unsubscribe
<[link removed]>