NAFO’s Shiba Inu memes turned online replies into a visible form of pro-Ukraine activism: supporters used them to challenge Russian propaganda, rally allies and raise charitable funds. Gizmodo’s 2023 slideshow, “15 Memes That Trolled Russia Too Hard”, frames the movement through its irreverent internet culture—not as evidence that memes changed the course of the war.
What is NAFO?
The North Atlantic Fellas Organization, or NAFO, is described by Gizmodo as a loose online pro-Ukraine movement, not a formal organization with centralized leadership. Its members—often called “fellas”—are recognizable by crudely edited Shiba Inu images, sometimes dressed as Ukrainian soldiers.
Gizmodo credits artist Kama with popularizing custom avatars as a reward for charitable donations. That link between meme-making and fundraising became part of NAFO’s identity: the images were not only jokes or profile pictures, but also a way for supporters to signal affiliation and encourage donations.
How the memes were used
Gizmodo describes NAFO members replying to propaganda, criticizing propagandists and rallying support for Ukraine. The format was well suited to social media: a familiar dog avatar could make a reply instantly recognizable, while a short joke or slogan could draw attention to a claim or account.
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That visibility should not be mistaken for a measured effect on disinformation or military events. The slideshow offers examples of online culture and activity; it does not establish that memes themselves reduced propaganda or changed the course of the war.
The “You pronounced this nonsense” reply
One of the slideshow’s named examples centers on Russian diplomat Mikhail Ulyanov’s June 19, 2022 post, which ended with the line: “You pronounced this nonsense. Not me.” Gizmodo says the phrase became a rallying cry for NAFO members, who flooded Ulyanov’s posts. The publication reports that he temporarily stopped tweeting, but that sequence does not by itself prove the replies caused his pause.
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The episode shows the movement’s characteristic mixture of mockery and repetition: a line from an official’s post was recast as a slogan, then circulated back at him by supporters using the same recognizable visual language.
From online jokes to public recognition
On August 28, 2022, the Defense of Ukraine account publicly thanked NAFO. The account’s message read: “We usually express gratitude to our international partners for the security assistance. But today we want to give a shout-out to a unique entity – North Atlantic Fellas Organization #NAFO. Thanks for your fierce fight against kremlin’s propaganda &trolls. We salute you, fellas!”
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Gizmodo also reports that a fundraising effort paid to have NAFO memes painted on a Ukrainian military tank nicknamed the Superbonker 9000. Together, the public message and tank illustrate how the movement’s online imagery could be tied to visible expressions of support and charitable fundraising.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the “15 memes” headline captures
The slideshow’s title points to fifteen entries, but its broader significance is the approach they represent: a decentralized online movement using humor, avatars and repeated replies to contest Russian narratives and build solidarity with Ukraine. The examples documented in the accessible slideshow include Ulyanov’s “You pronounced this nonsense” line; the associated fundraising and official thanks provide context for how NAFO’s meme culture extended beyond individual jokes.
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Gizmodo’s account also notes speculation that NAFO might be a CIA-funded psy-op, while describing the movement as grassroots. That allegation is not established by the article as fact. The defensible takeaway is narrower: NAFO presented itself through decentralized online participation, and the cited examples show its supporters using memes for advocacy and fundraising.
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Sources
- Thomas Germain, Gizmodo, May 25, 2023: “15 Memes That Trolled Russia Too Hard”.
- Gizmodo slideshow, page 8, May 25, 2023: the Ulyanov example.
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