Recently declassified intelligence reportedly shows that Russian operatives are using a variety of English-language websites to spread disinformation about the new coronavirus.
Senior officials of the Russian military intelligence unit known as GRU are responsible for the disinformation campaign, according to reports by the New York Times and The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The campaign reportedly includes broadcasting news articles with unfounded claims about the origins of the virus and how Moscow and the United States have responded, among other things.
Reports of disinformation were recently declassified so officials could speak freely about it, the AP reported, citing comments from two anonymous government officials. Officials did not release any underlying information about Russia’s alleged activities.
The news articles were published on websites such as InfoRos.ru, which is controlled by the Russian government, and OneWorld.Press, which according to US officials has links to the GRU, according to the Times.
During a period from the end of May to June, some of the websites published 150 articles that spread false claims about the coronavirus pandemic. One article included the headline, “Russia’s Aid Against COVID-19 For The United States Moves Forward In De-Relaxation Case,” which a US official told the AP caught the attention of the intelligence community. The headline seemed to falsely suggest that Russia was providing substantial aid to the United States in the midst of the outbreak.
Other articles suggested that the coronavirus was part of an American effort to enforce its vision of “world order” and that COVID-19 was “an experiment to manipulate the world.”
Reports of a new alleged Russian disinformation campaign arrive less than 100 days before the November presidential election, though US government officials told the AP that it was unclear if the efforts were linked to the 2020 elections. .
Officials said part of the content on the websites attacked an alleged Democratic presidential candidate. Joe Biden
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US intelligence officials have recently warned that foreign nations are trying to interfere with this year’s elections.
William Evanina, director of the National Center for Counterintelligence and Security, said last week that Russia, Iran and China were actively trying to influence the fall election, noting that “the coronavirus pandemic and recent protests … continue to serve as fodder for foreigners. ” influence and disinformation efforts in America. “
The alleged new Russian disinformation campaign primarily deals with websites that act as legitimate media, according to reports released on Tuesday.
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