Russia has adapted its propaganda in North Macedonia by incorporating localized narratives and, alongside Serbia, portraying itself as the protector of Macedonians against perceived enemies.
This opinion was expressed in a comment to Ukrinform by Dzhabir Deralla, a Macedonian civic activist, journalist, and co-founder of the NGO CIVIL Today (Center for Civil Freedom in Skopje).
Deralla explained that Serbia's political and propaganda apparatus has long exploited divisions within Macedonian society, including ethnic tensions. According to him, it presents the Serbian people, state, and political leaders as defenders of Orthodox, Slavic Macedonia, protecting it from Bulgarians abroad and Albanians at home.
"So, that was ongoing for decades. And that's how the Russian propaganda machinery is needed to influence the Macedonian population. They just use the Serbian narratives. The ground was prepared," Deralla said.
According to him, these narratives claim that Bulgarians threaten Macedonian identity, that Albanians – who make up around 25% of North Macedonia's population – pose an internal threat, and that Greece seeks to erase Macedonian identity.
