  This paper presents a few observations about pro-Kremlin propaganda between
2015 and early 2021 with a dataset from the East Stratcom Task Force (ESTF),
which is affiliated with the European Union (EU) but working independently from
it. Instead of focusing on misinformation and disinformation, the observations
are motivated by classical propaganda research and the ongoing transformation
of media systems. According to the tentative results, (i) the propaganda can be
assumed to target both domestic and foreign audiences. Of the countries and
regions discussed, (ii) Russia, Ukraine, the United States, and within Europe,
Germany, Poland, and the EU have been the most frequently discussed. Also other
conflict regions such as Syria have often appeared in the propaganda. In terms
of longitudinal trends, however, (iii) most of these discussions have decreased
in volume after the digital tsunami in 2016, although the conflict in Ukraine
seems to have again increased the intensity of pro-Kremlin propaganda. Finally,
(iv) the themes discussed align with state-centric war propaganda and conflict
zones, although also post-truth themes frequently appear; from conspiracy
theories via COVID-19 to fascism -- anything goes, as is typical to propaganda.
