France’s authorities has accused Russia of a long-running on-line manipulation marketing campaign that included impersonating the web sites of main French media and the French International Ministry
France’s authorities accused Russia on Tuesday of working a long-running on-line manipulation marketing campaign, together with impersonating the web sites of main French media and the French International Ministry, aimed toward spreading confusion and false details about the battle in Ukraine.
The French company chargeable for combating overseas digital interference, VIGINUM, stated it has monitored the alleged operation since quickly after Russia invaded its neighbor and that France was certainly one of a number of European nations focused. It stated it traced the marketing campaign to Russian people, corporations and “state entities or entities affiliated to the Russian state.”
Final month, the company detected a mirror web site mimicking the French International Ministry’s and intervened with “protecting and preventive measures,” VIGINUM stated in a report revealed Tuesday.
“France condemns these actions, that are unworthy of a everlasting member of the United Nations Safety Council. No try at manipulation will distract France from its help for Ukraine within the face of Russia’s battle of aggression,” the ministry stated in a press release with unusually robust wording.
The Russian Embassy in France didn’t instantly remark.
VIGINUM stated it recognized 355 domains usurping the identities of European media shops, together with these of French day by day newspapers Le Monde and Le Figaro. It stated the content material unfold on the faux websites denigrated the Ukrainian armed forces and amplified criticism of sanctions in opposition to Russia and the impression of Ukrainian refugees on different European nations.
French International Ministry spokesperson Anne-Claire Legendre stated it was the primary time the federal government has “so clearly and explicitly” attributed blame for this type of marketing campaign.
She stated the faux ministry web site was aimed toward creating confusion about France’s help for Ukraine and undermining democratic debate. She stated the federal government’s intervention restricted the impression of the mirror web site, which she described as a component of “the hybrid battle that Russia is presently waging.”
VIGINUM stated the marketing campaign has hyperlinks to a sprawling disinformation community that Fb guardian Meta uncovered final yr, which sought to make use of faux social media accounts and sham information web sites to unfold Kremlin speaking factors.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, pro-Russian gamers have used on-line disinformation and conspiracy theories in an effort to weaken worldwide help for Ukraine. Social media platforms and European governments have tried to stifle Russian propaganda and disinformation, solely to see the Kremlin shift techniques.
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Observe AP’s protection of the battle in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine