(Adnkronos) – Austrian intelligence announced that it has uncovered a Russian propaganda campaign aimed at spreading disinformation about Ukraine and has investigated a Bulgarian citizen for alleged espionage. Investigators from the DSN, Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence, have found evidence of a “vast Russian disinformation campaign in the country,” the Vienna government announced today, quoted by the FT.
The investigations reconstructed how a cell in the service of Russian intelligence had been activated a few weeks after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The cell had planned a vast disinformation campaign in German-speaking countries, with a focus on Austria.
“The dissemination of a false narrative, of fake news, and of manipulative content undermines trust in our institutions and jeopardizes social cohesion,” said Undersecretary Joerg Leichtfried. The DSN uncovered the details of the operation after seizing data storage devices in a raid on the Bulgarian woman’s home in December.
The woman admitted to working for the cell that was posing as a pro-Ukrainian group but was actually aiming to influence public opinion against President Volodymyr Zelensky. The cell used online and offline tactics. The suspect documented the actions taken and these documents were transmitted to accomplices residing in Russia and the United Kingdom. The Austrian government has stated that the Russian secret services may have commissioned her to distribute this content also in Germany and Austria. “Given the global security situation and the threats to our freedom, the DSN’s protection capabilities must be expanded,” Leichtfried said.
Last month, the Austrian centrist parties formed a new coalition government after months of uncertainty. The result avoided the prospect of a government led by the far-right and pro-Russian, after the victory of the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) in last year’s parliamentary elections with just under 29% of the vote.
