The so-called fake news tsunami, created by different Russian propaganda channels, shares a hard to recognize for the average reader goal to spread false information about Ukraine and its leadership, as well as corrupting the image of Western mass-media.
A false claim by “Clear Story News” from some time back stated that it was based on a fact, that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was using US taxpayer funds to bribe Western journalists to smear former President of the United States Donald Trump. Disinformation tracking outfit NewsGuard debunked the report, showing the Zelensky’s office letter leaked alongside the post had been digitally manipulated and contradicted standard formats.
This entirely false tale was published on USATimes.news, another research supposedly owned by Russia-based disinformation site. NewsGuard also linked these entities to John Mark Dougan, a former Florida deputy sheriff and supposed Kremlin propagandist. 
“These sites falsely look like legit news to mainstream disguise false narratives, ‘ McKenzie Sadeghi, a Researcher, NewsGuard. It is all about discrediting the trust in the established media and promoting the anti-Ukraine propaganda.
The spread of false news comes at a time of increasing pressure from around the world on Russia to stop the three-year war against Ukraine. Researchers say such techniques, facilitated by top-notch AI software, are growing more sophisticated and widespread.
Some western spy agencies and independent fact-checkers such as AFP have found more than 1,200 fake news websites operating on behalf of hostile governments like Russia and Iran. Experts warn need for vigilance against these evolving disinformation efforts on social media trying to shape perceptions and global political narrative.
