A Russian disinformation campaign against Ukraine has been uncovered in Austria
Kyiv • UNN
Austrian intelligence has uncovered a large-scale disinformation campaign by the Russian Federation aimed at discrediting Ukraine. A Bulgarian woman, suspected of espionage, is accused of spreading pro-Russian sentiment.
Austrian intelligence officers are investigating a Bulgarian citizen on charges of espionage. According to the State Security and Intelligence Directorate (DSN), she was involved in a disinformation operation led by Russia.
UNN reports with reference to Вloomberg, ORF and Нandelsblatt.
DSN announced Monday morning that it had uncovered a ‘comprehensive disinformation campaign in Austria.’ At the centre of the case is a Bulgarian woman arrested in December who was accused of spying for russia and who DSN said has confessed to doing so.
Austrian intelligence officials claim to have uncovered a Russian disinformation campaign aimed at damaging Ukraine. The suspect allegedly led a large-scale effort to spread messages that looked pro-Ukrainian but used nationalist and right-wing extremist language.
During a search of the suspect's home, DSN investigators reportedly found a camera that allegedly worked for a Russian intelligence service. Analysis of the seized media showed that this was a group that started operating only a few weeks after the start of the Russian war of aggression 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 of these actions was intended to create the impression that pro-Ukrainian activists were behind them.
Disinformation activity documented
Data on disinformation plans were saved by the suspect - these documents were also sent to accomplices living in Russia and Great Britain.
More recently, in London, two women and a man from Bulgaria were found guilty in a high-profile case of espionage for Russia.
They allegedly acted on behalf of former Wirecard board member Marsalek.
For 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
Nina Bussek, a spokeswoman for the Vienna Prosecutor's Office, said on Monday that the information released was "nothing new." "All this was already known," she stressed. The investigation against the Bulgarian suspect was continued.
The DSN previously emphasized that the investigation showed that only a few weeks after the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, "a cell that worked for the Russian special service became active."
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As explained by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Austria, the aim of this cell was to purposefully influence public opinion against Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky with targeted actions and thus create pro-Russian sentiments.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) reacted with satisfaction. He welcomed "this important success in the fight against disinformation" via Instagram.
Reaction of Austrian politicians
There was a reaction from the Social Democratic Party of Austria of Austria.
The spread of false narratives, fake news and manipulative content undermines confidence in our institutions and threatens social cohesion
NEOS (a liberal political party in Austria) also expressed satisfaction that "an extensive Russian disinformation campaign against Austria (...) has been uncovered."
Let us remind you
The SBU detained a high-ranking official of the Anti-Terrorist Center, who worked for the FSB since 2018. His parents knew about cooperation with the enemy and justified the aggression of the Russian Federation, they are also preparing a suspicion.
