Russia's state sponsored deception media -- RT international television network and the Sputnik "news" agency -- continue to practice Soviet-era "active measures" as part of a global campaign to weaponize misinformation so as to destabilize the West, particularly the United States.

Like Us on Facebook

United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defense Sir Michael Fallon has raised the warning against both of these tools for untruth.

"Today we see a country (Russia) that in weaponizing misinformation has created what we might now see as the post-truth age," he told the audience at St. Andrews University in Scotland.

"Russia is clearly testing NATO and the West. It is seeking to expand its sphere of influence, destabilize countries and weaken the alliance.

"It is undermining national security for many allies and the international rules-based system.

"Therefore it is in our interest and Europe's to keep NATO strong and to deter and dissuade Russia from this course."

Sir Michael said more should be done to "call out" lackeys such as the RT television network and Sputnik news agency spreading "Soviet-style misinformation."

He said NATO and the West have been forced to "do more to tackle the false reality promoted through Soviet-style misinformation." He urged the West "must counter Putin's Pravda with a faster truth."

He recalled that in 2015, the UK Office of Communications (Ofcom) sanctioned RT for broadcasting content materially misleading or not duly impartial news about Syria and Ukraine.

The tactics being used by both RT and Sputnik are classic "active measures" used by spy agencies of the unlamented Soviet Union in their efforts to discredit NATO and the U.S. during the Cold War.

Active measures are what the Soviets describe as "actions of political warfare" conducted by the Soviet security services (such as the defunct KGB) to influence the course of world events.

Active measures involve media manipulations and include disinformation, propaganda, counterfeiting official documents, assassinations and political repression, which also means the persecution of political dissidents.

Active measures are now being used against Russia's enemies by Russian state-owned media and Russia's spy services.

TagsRussia, RT international television network, Sputnik news agency, Secretary of State for Defense Sir Michael Fallon, weaponizing misinformation, Active measures, post-truth age