VIENNA (AP) — Austrian authorities stated Monday that they uncovered a Russian-steered marketing campaign aimed toward spreading disinformation about Ukraine following the detention in December of a Bulgarian lady accused of spying for Russia.
Austria’s home intelligence company unearthed proof of the operation because it analyzed gadgets present in a search of the girl’s residence, the Inside Ministry stated in an announcement. It stated the investigation confirmed that just a few weeks after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a cell working for Russian intelligence was arrange and deliberate a large-scale disinformation marketing campaign in German-speaking nations, notably Austria.
The group was energetic on-line but in addition used stickers and graffiti with content material reminiscent of far-right symbols and nationalist statements meant to appear like pro-Ukrainian activists had been accountable for them, in line with the Inside Ministry.
The Bulgarian suspect, whose title wasn’t launched, is believed to have performed a big position within the effort and acted as an intelligence contact, the ministry stated, including that she has admitted working for the cell, notably in 2022.
A 12 months in the past, Austria’s greatest espionage scandal in a long time erupted with the arrest of a former Austrian intelligence officer, who was accused amongst different issues of handing over cellphone knowledge of former high-ranking Austrian officers to Russian intelligence and serving to plot a housebreaking at a outstanding journalist’s condominium.
The ex-officer, who was later launched from custody, is suspected of getting offered delicate info to Jan Marsalek, a fugitive fellow Austrian needed on suspicion of fraud because the collapse in 2020 of German payment company Wirecard, the place he was the chief working officer. The arrest warrant stated chat messages offered by British authorities hyperlink Marsalek on to Russia’s FSB intelligence company.
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