<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The scale of the Russian government's propaganda effort in the Ukraine war includes President Vladimir Putin briefing some of the country's leading television presenters, according to a new report.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Kremlin has worked vigorously to "weaponise" information since Russia invaded its neighbour in February 2022, an investigation by the international human rights foundation Global Rights Compliance and advocacy group The Reckoning Project has found.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They claim the huge propaganda war is aimed at hiding war crimes committed by Russia and obscure efforts to hold perpetrators accountable through a huge disinformation campaign.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/russia-ukraine-war-volodymyr-zelenskyy-waiting-in-turkey-for-vladimir-putin/d5350005-eb4c-4007-9bd5-71e74607c627" rel="" target="_blank" title="'I will be waiting for Putin': Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commits to talks"><strong><span>'I will be waiting for Putin': Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commits to talks</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Among the examples cited in the 166-page report was the March 2022 Russian airstrike on the Mariupol Maternity Ward No.3.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ahead of the attack, top Russian government officials made false claims the civilian facility was being used by Ukrainian military combatants.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Among those striving to explain the missile strike as a provocation with the aim of falsely accusing Russia of war crimes were ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia and Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-plays-direct-role-in-ukraine-war-propaganda-effort/51c5c595-070c-4d1c-86d9-d4b9eccb4757" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The report also highlights the role Russian social media channels now play in the disinformation warfare.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A key part of this effort involves the work of Russian military bloggers</span><strong><span>,</span></strong><span> known as "Z-bloggers", who have an estimated global audience of about 10 million.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/nationals-leadership-contest-matt-canavan-reveals-why-he-is-running-for-top-job-against-david-littleproud/aa3cb0de-b3db-468c-b189-36cc22197e4d" target="_blank"><strong><span>Matt Canavan pitches new-look Nationals party as leadership race decided today</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They played a big role in laying a trail of disinformation over the missile attack on the Donetsk Regional Academic Drama Theatre in Mariupol that Ukraine said killed at least 300 people.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Despite the word "CHILDREN" visibly inscribed on the ground in huge white letters outside the drama theatre, the attack was characterised by Russia as a "provocation" staged by Ukraine to draw NATO forces into the war.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Popular Russian television channels and high-profile presenters have also been exposed by the report as Putin's mouthpieces, actively creating "information alibis" for war crimes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An indictment by the US government issued last against Channel One host Dimitri Simes claims he received instructions on issues related to the Russia-Ukraine war in his TV show from Putin directly.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Kremlin's propaganda effort has continued in the three-year war despite a UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine uncovering multiple war crimes by Russian forces, largely aimed at civilians.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/study-links-golf-course-pesticides-to-parkinsons-disease-us/b236849a-ec39-4e3d-b443-977a73425243" target="_blank"><strong><span>New study suggests link between golf courses and cases of Parkinson's disease</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Global Rights Compliance says those who take part in spreading false Russian propaganda to cover up war crimes are liable to prosecution under international law.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It is essential to differentiate between freedom of expression and deliberate contributions to criminal plans and crimes," said the group's president, Wayne Jordash.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Russia's propogandists often cross that line, intending their propaganda to materially contribute to the planning, execution, and cover-up of international crimes."</span></div></div>