For my international followers: The Russian disinformation campaign organized by a cell in Austria, uncovered by the Austrian intelligence service DSN, is a big deal for several reasons.Firstly, it highlights that influence campaigns—not just espionage—are a serious threat.🧵 - ThreadSky

About ThreadSky

dietmarpichler.bsky.social • 4 days ago

For my international followers: The Russian disinformation campaign organized by a cell in Austria, uncovered by the Austrian intelligence service DSN, is a big deal for several reasons.Firstly, it highlights that influence campaigns—not just espionage—are a serious threat.🧵

Comments

4530pastor.bsky.social•4 days ago

Sorry but years delayed

dietmarpichler.bsky.social•4 days ago

Secondly, it involved offline operations, such as false-flag "pro-Ukrainian" graffiti and stickers.

These false flag operations aimed to portray Ukraine and its supporters as neo-Nazi.

dietmarpichler.bsky.social•4 days ago

This strategy is known from the Soviet Union and the Cold War, when Soviet active measures attempted to portray Germany as "still a Nazi country" by painting swastikas in public spaces. The goal was to sabotage European unification and the restoration of relations between Germany and France.

dietmarpichler.bsky.social•4 days ago

Background:
Austria’s DSN (Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence) has uncovered a Russian-linked disinformation cell. A Bulgarian national is accused of orchestrating pro-Russian fake campaigns since 2022—both online and offline...

dietmarpichler.bsky.social•4 days ago

—with the goal of discrediting Ukraine and manipulating public opinion in Austria.