Unveiling the Russian Disinformation Drive in Austria

Austrian authorities uncovered a Russian-orchestrated disinformation campaign targeting Ukraine after a Bulgarian woman was detained for espionage. This operation, initiated after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, used online tactics and nationalist imagery to mislead German-speaking countries, notably Austria.

Austrian authorities have revealed a Russian-led disinformation campaign targeting Ukraine, following the detention of a Bulgarian woman accused of espionage activities for Moscow. This intelligence was uncovered by Austria's domestic agency after analyzing devices found during a search of her residence, as per the Interior Ministry's statement.

The investigation highlights that, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a Russian intelligence-backed cell was established to spread disinformation, particularly in Austria. The campaign utilized online tactics and misleading images to create a false narrative of pro-Ukrainian activism.

The apprehended Bulgarian national, whose identity remains undisclosed, was reportedly pivotal in these disinformation efforts. This comes in the wake of Austria's significant espionage scandal, involving a former Austrian intelligence officer accused of collaborating with Russian intelligence and linked to Jan Marsalek, now a fugitive suspected of fraud.

(With inputs from agencies.)