Russian disinformation campaign against Ukraine uncovered in Austria
Kyiv • UNN
Austrian intelligence has uncovered a large-scale Russian disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting Ukraine. A Bulgarian woman, suspected of espionage, is accused of spreading pro-Russian sentiments.
Austrian intelligence officers are investigating a case involving a Bulgarian citizen accused of espionage. According to the Directorate for State Security and Intelligence (DSN), she was involved in a Russian-led disinformation operation. This is reported by UNN with reference to Bloomberg, ORF and Handelsblatt.
Details
On Monday morning, the DSN announced that it had uncovered a "comprehensive disinformation campaign in Austria." At the center of the case is a Bulgarian woman arrested in December, accused of spying for Russia, and who, according to the DSN, confessed to it.
Austrian intelligence officers claim to have uncovered a Russian disinformation campaign aimed at harming Ukraine. The suspect allegedly led widespread efforts to spread messages that appeared to be pro-Ukrainian but used nationalist and far-right rhetoric.
Reportedly, during a search of the suspect's home, DSN investigators found a camera that allegedly worked for the Russian special service. An analysis of the seized data carriers showed that it was a group that began operating only a few weeks after the start of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine.
In early 2022, a Bulgarian citizen planned a broad disinformation campaign for the German-speaking region with a focus on Austria.
Both online methods and offline actions were used – for example, through the distribution of stickers and graffiti. The idea behind these actions was to create the impression that pro-Ukrainian activists were behind them.
Disinformation activity documented
Data on disinformation plans were stored by the suspect - these documents were also sent to accomplices living in Russia and Great Britain.
Most recently, in London, two women and a man from Bulgaria were found guilty in a high-profile case of spying for Russia.
They allegedly acted on behalf of former Wirecard board member Marsalek.
Reference: Wirecard is a German financial company engaged in payment processing. Its former manager is Jan Marsalek, who allegedly fled to Russia.
Comment from Austrian law enforcement agencies
Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Nina Bussek said on Monday that the information released is "nothing new."
All this was already known
The investigation against the suspected Bulgarian woman continued.
The DSN previously emphasized that the investigation showed that only a few weeks after the start of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine in February 2022, "a cell working for the Russian special service became active."
Romania and Bulgaria concerned about US-Russia talks on Black Sea - FT24.03.25, 13:58 • 110977 views
The goal of this cell was to negatively influence public opinion against Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy through targeted actions and thus form pro-Russian sentiments.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) reacted "with satisfaction." He congratulated via Instagram "on this important success in the fight against disinformation."
Reaction of Austrian politicians
A reaction from the Social Democratic Party of Austria appeared.
The spread of false narratives, fake news, and manipulative content undermines trust in our institutions and jeopardizes social cohesion.
NEOS (a liberal political party in Austria) also expressed satisfaction that "a comprehensive Russian disinformation campaign against Austria (…) has been uncovered."
Recall
The SBU detained a high-ranking official of the Anti-Terrorist Center who had been working for the FSB since 2018. His parents knew about his cooperation with the enemy and justified Russia's aggression; they are also being prepared for suspicion.