The Western Balkans, as a post-conflict region marked by a weak process of democratic transition, corruption, and interethnic tensions, constitutes fertile ground for Russian disinformation campaigns. In particular, due to its traditional, historical, and religious ties with Orthodox nations, Russia can conduct effective and low-cost disinformation and propaganda campaigns through its proxies in the region. Through these activities, it seeks to maintain a state of controlled chaos, hinder Euro-Atlantic integration, and strengthen its influence.
Russia is not acting alone in this context, as it relies heavily on Serbia, which it uses as a logistical and operational base for the dissemination of disinformation and propaganda across the region. Serbian actors and their affiliated outlets in the Western Balkans disseminate the bulk of pro-Russian narratives and disinformation. While Russia has been far more successful in promoting its narratives than the technologically more advanced West, the latter has failed to respond effectively to these campaigns, despite having numerous soft power instruments at its disposal—particularly within the framework of the EU enlargement policy and its strategic partnership with Serbia.
Vol. 7 No. 1, 2026: Ruske dezinformacije na Zahodnem Balkanu in priporočila za boj proti dezinformiranju (Zidarič) [SLO]
Author:
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- Igor Zidarič is a former President of the Youth Section of the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia and is currently employed at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia.
* Views and opinions of the authors of this paper do not necessarily correspond to the views of the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia.