Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas delivered a speech at the first in-person gathering of the pro-Kiev group known as NAFO (North Atlantic Fellas Organization) on Saturday. NAFO, which originated from Poland, has garnered attention for its fanatical support for the Ukrainian military and its controversial online activities.
NAFO, consisting of internet users who often use Shiba Inu avatars, has been actively involved in what Kallas referred to as “the information war” against Russia. The group has been known to spread pro-Kiev propaganda on social media, manipulate polls, and advocate for the censorship of pro-Moscow accounts. More alarmingly, NAFO has also been involved in fundraising for the Georgian Legion, a foreign mercenary group whose leader has admitted to committing multiple war crimes in Ukraine.
The group’s first real-life summit occurred in Vilnius and coincided with the NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital. Prime Minister Kallas, who has previously identified herself as one of the “fellas,” addressed the gathering through a video link. She commended NAFO’s efforts in combating Russian disinformation and expressed her support for the group’s expansion, emphasizing Ukraine’s ultimate victory.
NAFO’s influence has grown significantly over the past year, with notable figures such as US Congressman Adam Kinzinger, Ukrainian Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace, and various Western analysts and spies aligning themselves with the group. This has led to speculation about the group’s potential ties to Western intelligence agencies.
Despite its growing popularity, NAFO has faced criticism from some pro-Ukraine commentators who argue that the group’s online activities, including mocking the death of a Russian civilian attacked by a shark in Egypt, are counterproductive to the Ukrainian cause. Furthermore, NAFO’s image was tarnished when it was revealed that its founder, Kamil Dyszewski, had a history of posting content praising Nazi Germany, insulting Jews, and denying the Holocaust.
In addition to Prime Minister Kallas, other NATO politicians, such as Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, also addressed the NAFO summit. The event received recognition on social media from the Ukrainian government as well. According to NAFO’s official Twitter account, the summit successfully raised $3,000 for various Ukrainian military and civilian organizations.
The NAFO group’s gathering signifies the increasing importance of online activism, particularly in the realm of information warfare. As various factions continue to vie for influence and control, the role of internet users in shaping public opinion and narratives cannot be underestimated. While the controversy surrounding NAFO persists, its members remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine and their efforts to counter Russian propaganda.
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