Austria uncovers Russia-led disinformation campaign targeting Ukraine

The Kremlin deployed a disinformation campaign targeting Ukraine and sparking pro-Russian sentiment across German-speaking countries, Austrian authorities revealed on Monday.

The investigation showed that a cell working for Russian intelligence was set up shortly after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

It intended to influence public opinion against Ukraine and its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, both online and on the ground mostly in Austria, by using far-right and nationalist stickers and graffiti, which it claimed pro-Ukrainian activists were behind.

“The direct goal of this disinformation cell was to use targeted actions in the context of the war to negatively influence public opinion against Ukraine … thereby generating – at a higher level – pro-Russian sentiment,” a statement from Austria’s domestic intelligence agency said.

The agency said it discovered the operation as it analysed devices belonging to a Bulgarian citizen detained in December on suspicion of spying for the Kremlin.

The woman, who has not been named so far, is suspected of playing a “significant” role in the campaign: distributing content in both Germany and Austria and acting as a contact for Russian intelligence for accomplices in Russia and the UK.

She has admitted to working for the cell and has been released on bail, according to Austria’s Press Agency.