Thread by @Martinlaineolen

🚨Breaking news:

Leaked docs from a Kremlin-controlled propaganda machine reveal a campaign backing far-right parties in EU elections and spreading disinformation to undermine Ukraine.

Read further:



Let’s dive into the #FactoryofFakes🕵️‍♂️🧵

1/15vsquare.org/leaked-files-p…

In a leaked video meant for internal use, Ilya Gambashidze, head of Russia's secret propaganda project, sports a hoodie labeled "Russian Ideological Troops."

He leads the Orwellian-named organization called Social Design Agency.

He uses some interesting examples here...

2/15

SDA follows orders from the Kremlin.

DOJ affidavit reveals that Putin’s right-hand man, Sergei Kiriyenko, and presidential admin employee Sofia Zakharova joined Gambashidze in meetings, meticulously planning to influence elections in the US and Europe.

3/15

According to leaked docs, the agency employs "ideologists," eight "commentators," and a "bot farm operator."

As of early 2024, SDA's "Russian Digital Army" generated 33.9M comments, 4,641 original videos, and 2,516 memes to influence narratives online.

4/15

There are literally separate employees dedicated to creating memes and cartoons.

Here’s a little taste:

5/15

I’m quote tweeting a “Geopolitical commentator” with 31.4k followers.

The caricatures they post were literally prepared by the Kremlin. SDA docs reveal accounting for tens of thousands of posts from "commentators" across every social media platform.

6/15

Russians aimed to influence European and US elections, as well as the Bundestag elections. A project document states: “The further sanctions policy and support for Ukraine will largely depend on the results of these campaigns.”

7/15

They targeted the biggest European member states.

Russia believed success for the far-right "Identity and Democracy" group (now dissolved) would serve Russian interests. Russia started promoting anti-globalism, anti-LGBT narratives, and exploited economic issues.

8/15

There’s a lot on AfD here — too much to cover here. Read the full story!

A memo reads: “Our opinion leader became the deputy leader of the AfD faction!”.

Russia even measures success using AfD polling stats and does the same with France’s National Rally (Le Pen, etc).

9/15

Instructions for commentators include writing a 400-character comment from a 38-year-old German woman claiming Germany’s a haven for criminals from other countries. Similar directives target the US, France, and Poland to stir anti-immigrant sentiments.

10/15

Post-EU elections, Russians were pleased with the results of right-wing candidates, calling it a “serious success.”

However, they noted that such success doesn’t always guarantee benefits for Russia, citing Georgi Meloni’s support for Ukraine as an example.

11/15

Ukraine is a major target. Leaked docs, labeled “fakes,” reveal how Russians planted forged evidence and statements by Ukrainian officials on social media.

For instance, SDA fabricated documents and quotes about the Il-76 plane crash in Belgorod, January 2024.

12/15

“Our team fabricated a story about child abductions. Americans seriously published it,” a Russian official wrote. Russians exploit "useful idiots" and hide their tracks, knowing the West distrusts their outlets— citing US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene as an example.

13/15

The US affidavit claims that SDA monitors 2,800 influencers from 81 countries, calling them “opinion leaders.” We have a small screenshot of this list in the leak.

I'd call them “useful idiots,” with their voices amplified by Russia, often without them even knowing.

14/15

This leak confirms what we see daily: Russian bot armies and paid trolls fueling conflicts, and amplifying "useful idiots" who blindly spread narratives literally crafted by Kremlin officials.

The leak was brought to you by @DelfiEE @SZ @VSquare_Project and many others...

15/15

Please don't misinterpret my findings if you don't understand them. The docs in question don't indicate that Rebel News is involved with SDA. It indicates than troll accounts commented under Rebel News social accs. That is not proof of involvement.