Austrian Spy Probe Uncovers Russian Disinformation Campaign
- Bulgarian citizen allegedly led cell that spread false info
- Group sought to discredit Ukraine in Germany and Austria
Photographer: Akos Stiller/Bloomberg
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Austrian intelligence officers investigating a Bulgarian for alleged espionage have uncovered a Russian disinformation campaign aimed at damaging Ukraine.
The suspected spy allegedly led a large-scale effort in Austria and Germany to disseminate what looked like pro-Ukrainian messaging but with the use of nationalist and right-extremist language, seeking to create distrust in Kyiv’s leadership, the Interior Ministry in Vienna said in a statement Monday. The Bulgarian served as an intelligence contact for Russian operatives and received campaign materials.