Beware the “Illusion of Truth” Virus!
Let’s begin by unpacking the concept of the “illusion of truth.” Repeating a lie –especially many times – can eventually make people believe it. Why? Because our brain, over time, begins to process repetition as credibility. This psychological phenomenon is known as the illusion of truth effect, where repeated exposure to information overrides our sense of its actual accuracy.
How does this work?
First, there is familiarization: when we hear something repeatedly, it starts to feel familiar. And humans often associate familiarity with truth.
Next comes acceptance as truth: our brain prefers cognitive ease. The easier it is to process a statement, the more likely we are to perceive it as true.
Then, repetition strengthens memory encoding: repeated information sticks more readily in our minds, making it more accessible and convincing.
Finally, this leads to a shift in perceived reality. In extreme cases, especially when the person repeating the falsehood is also its originator, they may begin to believe their own lies. Repetition, in this case, becomes a tool for self-delusion and worldview construction.
In today’s era of global confrontation between democratic and authoritarian models, the illusion of truth is a powerful weapon – central to propaganda and disinformation strategies. Repeating the same talking points – even blatant lies – can push entire populations to accept them as fact.
This is precisely the weapon wielded by the Kremlin in its vast propaganda machine. Its goal: to blur international perception and justify its brutal aggression against Ukraine – mass killings of civilians, including children and women, and the destruction of entire cities.
The Kremlin relies on a network of loyal media outlets – both domestic and foreign – to implant its narratives into the minds of audiences. Russian state-controlled media and “truth-tellers” serve as echo chambers for lies and distortions. Yet, in response to Russia’s disinformation war, much of the international community has taken steps to block or sanction these platforms.
However, once “absolved and blessed” by their masters in Moscow, many of these so-called journalists adopted a more insidious strategy: infiltrating European media ecosystems. Today, pro-Kremlin voices operate within the information spaces of EU nations, acting as Trojan horses that regularly recycle Russian state media content, cite Kremlin officials, manipulate facts, and spread outright falsehoods.
Based on ongoing analysis and monitoring, here are some of the media outlets currently functioning as “loudspeakers” of Russian disinformation across Europe: Portugal – Abrilabrilt; Slovakia – Pravda, Jednotneslovensko, Infovojna, Hlavnydennik, Slovanskenoviny, Dennikvv; Netherlands – Frontnieuws; Moldova – Md.kp.media, Evedomosti; Bulgaria – Pogled.info, Trud, Glasove, Epicenter; Turkey – Aydinlik; France – Ripostelaique, Reseau Іnternational; Finland – Uusi MV-Lehti; Estonia – Baltnews/Baltija; Romania – Cutiapandorei; Germany – Jungewelt; Poland – Wolne Media, Niezależny Dziennik Polityczny; Norway – Steigan; Italy – L’Antidiplomatico; Spain – Rebelion; Hungary – Magyar Hírlap, Magyar Nemzet, Klubradio, Оrigo; Czech Republic – Pravy Prostor, CZ24.News; Switzerland – NZZ, Uncutnews; Croatia – Geopolitika…..
Now, some may accuse me of bias or hostility toward foreign media and editorial teams. As is often the case with Russian apologists – though I hesitate to call them colleagues – these accusations come from what I’d call “DNA exporters of bile.”
«Pogled.info» (Bulgaria):
Russian primary source:
Description: repost (without the link to the primary source) of the sanctioned Russian journal “Tsargrad TV” which includes Russian propaganda narratives concerning “existential mission” of Russian military aggression in Ukraine – confrontation to all the West world.
«Baltnews/baltija.eu» (Estonia):
Rostislav ISHENKO:
«Frontnieuws.com» (Netherlands):
Russian primary source:
Description: the article (with the reference to the sanctioned Russian media outlet «Russia Today/RT») which spreads Russian propaganda narratives about the political “chaos” in Ukraine.
«Uusi MV-Lehti» (Finland):
Russian primary source:
«Cutiapandorei» (Romania):
ZELENSKYY – is the puppet of the West which always could be changed on the parrot or trained monkey (V. MEDVEDCHUK) – 27.07.2025
Russian primary sources:
What the “Spy of PUTIN” sais about ZELENSKYY after almost three years’ of his release thanks to the captives exchange.
MEDVEDCHUK claimed he was not believing for the exchange possibility until the last.
«Jednotneslovensko.info» (Slovakia):
Russian primary source:
Description: Russian army keeps holding the initiative on the battlefield, captures new territories and step by step displaces Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Still, allow me to close with the words of one of the Kremlin’s most notorious propagandists, Dmitry Kiselyov: “Coincidence? I don’t think so.”
So, let’s return to where we started:
Beware the “illusion of truth”!