Here's the sort of evidence which +does+ help ID possible troll-factory accounts.
medium.com/dfrlab/trolltr…
Here are some of the ways to spot a bot: medium.com/dfrlab/botspot…
But just because an account is hyper-partisan, doesn't necessarily mean it's from the troll factory.
Sadly, that still needs saying.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZifIn4X0AE62vx.jpg)
"Burn in flames of a shame."
(H/t @NBCNews for their archive of confirmed troll tweets.)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZifucdXcAA8ZvN.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZif81vX0Ag2bOT.jpg)
If you see an apparently English-language account posting like this, look more closely.
(Caveat: some genuine US/UK trolls have been known to fake the accent, to trigger the other side).
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZightAXUAEaSdv.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZigky0XUAIf0os.jpg)
Format for a date-limited search is:
from:username since:2017-12-31 until:2018-03-31
(Username without @)
Narrative 1: Crimean annexation, Feb 28 - March 18, 2014. Ukraine portrayed as fascist or coup-led; Russian troops called "self-defence forces".
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZiig4uXkAARzSo.jpg)
Especially July - August 2014.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZijjPMX4AAsfy6.jpg)
Kremlin propaganda doesn't like the people who expose it.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZikG1gWsAEYfOC.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZikHFkWAAAJvZ-.jpg)
We know from whistle-blowers interviewed by real Russian journalists that the troll factory was ordered to muddy the waters on this one.
More details at medium.com/dfrlab/the-rus…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZili0_W4AA6uhq.jpg)
Accounts which posted Nemtsov conspiracy theories on Feb 27-28, 2015, merit particular attention.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZimMunXUAAlUt-.jpg)
Criticising Turkey is legitimate, but if a hitherto Ukraine-focused account switched to Turkey right after the downing, be wary.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZinceBXkAMMvFo.jpg)
Again, Kremlin propaganda doesn't like those who expose it, for example by providing evidence of air strikes on hospitals.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZiphlBWsAAmGxg.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZipz-MWsAE7WNx.jpg)
Caveat: Plenty of real Trump supporters turned on him as well. This point should only be used in combination with multiple others.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZiqaG5XUAEDhjL.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZisDQZXUAA8f1P.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZishjAXkAADGf2.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZitM_eX0AAt5zZ.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZit9xTX4AApfB1.jpg)
It was shut down soon after.
It's always important to look for multiple factors; never rely on a single one.
Loose accusations of being a "Russian troll", made without evidence, only make it easier for the real trolls to hide. Don't do them that favour. / Thread ends.