HOW RUSSIA DEFLECTS ACCUSATIONS OF CYBERATTACKS AND DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE RHETORICAL STRATEGIES OF RT

Abstract

The government of the Russian Federation is using cyberattacks and information operations against other countries for geopolitical purposes1 . Despite being criticised by international communities, Russia deflects all accusations by justifying its behaviour. To better understand the strategic communication of Russia we analysed the ways in which the largest Russian state-funded international news portal RT.com portrays accusations of cyber- and disinformation attacks. According to our analysis, the articles in RT deflect blame from Russia primarily in four ways: (1) accusations are described as groundless and evidence non-existent; (2) accusers are portrayed as malignant and Russia as the victim; (3) accusers are portrayed as unreliable or ridiculous; and (4) the audience is distracted or made to question the accusations.