Russia leverages Ceuta migration crisis to target EU leadership

Russian officials and digital networks reportedly leveraged the migration crisis in Ceuta to undermine the European Union and the Spanish government. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, used sarcastic commentary on Telegram to mock EU leadership, suggesting that while leaders expected threats from the east, an ‘invasion’ arrived from the south.

Investigations by the EK Strategic Communications Centre indicate that Russian-linked digital networks engaged in ‘opportunistic amplification’ to fuel political panic. These campaigns aimed to portray Europe as weak and divided, unable to defend its borders. Key narratives identified by geopolitical analysts included themes of European collapse, civilizational decline, and the idea of a ‘Green March 2.0’ orchestrated by Morocco.