Russian Internet trolls, based in an old arms factory in St. Petersburg, are targeting word leaders online and spreading support for Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the British government said, citing a study.
Online operatives have been found to be urging followers to target Western media and politicians, according to a study funded by the UK government, which plans to share it with major online platforms and other governments.
The troll factory is believed to be linked to Evgeny Prigogine, founder of the Internet Research Agency, accused of meddling in the 2016 election, in which Donald Trump won the presidency. The headquarters is said to be located in a rented room at the Arsenal machine-building plant in St. Petersburg, a company that makes military equipment and technology.
The study describes in detail how the Russian president’s regime is trying to manipulate public opinion on social media as well as in the commentary sections of major media.
The goals include the social media accounts of Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister; German Chancellor Olaf Scholz; and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
The study says TikTok’s influential people are being paid to expand pro-Kremlin stories. The operatives also spread real messages from legitimate social media users who are in line with the Kremlin’s view – as if avoiding measures by social media platforms to combat misinformation.
The analysis suggests that one of the main activities is “brigade” in order to draw the attention of the discussion on social media and in the sections for newspaper comments to preferred opinions. There has also been manipulation of polls in the Western media, including to distort the results of a survey on whether sanctions against Russia are supported.
Activities were found on Twitter and Facebook, but were found to be particularly concentrated on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. A key role in the network is said to be played by a Telegram channel called Cyber Front Z, with the letter Z meaning Russian support for the war.
The social media accounts of groups and musicians, including Daft Punk, David Guetta, Tiesto and Rammstein, appear to have been the target of a disinformation operation.
Researchers say the group appears to have learned from tactics used by supporters of QAnon’s conspiracy theories and the Islamic State terrorist group.
The troll farm is said to be recruiting and hiring workers openly, justifying the work as a “patriotic activity” in support of a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “We cannot allow the Kremlin and its shady troll farms to invade our online spaces with their lies about Putin’s illegal war.
“The UK government has warned international partners and will continue to work closely with allies and media platforms to undermine Russian information operations.
Secretary of Culture Nadine Doris said: “These are insidious attempts by Putin and his propaganda machine to deceive the world about the brutality he is inflicting on the people of Ukraine.
“This evidence will help us more effectively identify and eliminate Russian disinformation, and we must take decisive action to block anyone from doing business with Kremlin-controlled RT and Sputnik.”
The Foreign Ministry has not identified the researchers behind the work amid concerns about their safety in carrying out work critical of the Russian president’s regime.
With the Press Association
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