Austrian intelligence revealed a Russian operation in the center of Europe
The Austrian authorities revealed a large Russian misinformation campaign aimed at manipulating public opinion in favor of Russia and to the detriment of Ukraine. These discoveries were followed by the December arrest of a Bulgarian citizen suspected of spying on Russia. The Austrian Internal Intelligence Agency discovered evidence of surgery during an analysis of the devices seized during the investigation. The investigation showed that a few weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a spy network was established, planning a large -scale misinformation campaign in German -speaking countries, especially in Austria. The group was active online, and also used stickers and graffiti with far -right symbols and nationalist statements that were to be created by Proukraine activists. The suspect recognized participation in the cell, especially in 2022, writes Ap.
In a statement, the Austrian intelligence agency stated that the group that worked for Russian intelligence became active a few weeks after the start of Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The group planned a large -scale misinformation campaign in German -speaking countries, with an emphasis on Austria.
The aim of this cell was to adversely influence public opinion against Ukraine and President by targeting actions Volodimir to the green and thus create a pro -Russian mood. The group was active on the Internet as well as with actions around the city and the country, such as the destruction of labels and graffiti, which were supposed to be created by proukraine activists, as well as gluing and drawing new propaganda materials. In doing so, they used far right -wing symbolism and nationalist statements to discredit Ukraine as a far -right and nationalist, writes Financial Times.
In a statement, the Austrian intelligence agency stated that the group that worked for Russian intelligence became active a few weeks after the start of Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The group planned a large -scale misinformation campaign in German -speaking countries, with an emphasis on Austria. Photo: Blaž Samec
Austria, a military neutral member of the European Union, is home to many international organizations and diplomatic missions, which makes it attractive to spy activities. In recent years, there has been an increase in espionage in Vienna, which has caused criticism of the Allies and weakened the situation of the country among the increasingly security -raised European neighbors. A recent political shift to the center coalition government was welcomed by the Allies in the EU, as this avoided the possibility of a government led by the far right with the pro -Russian inclinations. The extreme right -wing Freedom Party (FPÖ) achieved a historic victory in the parliamentary elections last year with just under 29 percent of the vote, writes Financial Times.
The discovery of this misinformation campaign emphasizes the need to strengthen the capacity to protect against such threats. State secretary Jörg Leichtfried He stated that the spread of false narratives, fake news and manipulative content undermines confidence in institutions and threatens social cohesion. He also emphasized the need to strengthen the DSN’s protective capacity according to the global security situation and the threat of people’s freedom.
