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The US government has unsealed an indictment accusing Russia of attempting to interfere in the 2024 US presidential election through an expansive disinformation campaign, which utilized fake news websites, bots, and paid influencers.
The websites: According to the Department of Justice, 32 internet domains have been seized that were designed to mimic well-known media outlets through a technique known as “cybersquatting.” This involved registering domain names that closely resembled well-known news websites, such as “washingtonpost.pm” imitating “washingtonpost.com,” in order to trick users into believing they were visiting authentic news sites. These domains were then populated with “Kremlin-directed propaganda.” The DOJ also says that entirely new media brands were also created and disguised themselves as legitimate news sources while spreading pro-Russian messaging.
The influencers: The DOJ affidavit reveals that the “Doppelganger” operation paid influencers to spread Russian propaganda using cybersquatted domains. These influencers were strategically employed to amplify content, directing viewers to fake news articles that promoted pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian narratives. Posing as non-Russian citizens, they shared links to these fake domains on social media, attempting to deceive users into thinking they were engaging with legitimate news sources. According to an internal document from Russia that was obtained by the DOJ, Russia intended to “work with influencers among proponents of traditional values who stand up for ending the war in Ukraine and peaceful relations between the US and Russia and who are ready to get involved in the promotion of the project narratives. Among them are actors, politicians, experts in different areas, media representatives, social organizations activists and clergymen, etc. Possible interaction format: rollout of real comments by influencers, participation in shows, preparation of special materials, etc.”
Digging deeper: The DOJ confirmed the Kremlin’s involvement in the operation through evidence tying the campaign to key Russian entities and individuals linked to the Russian Presidential Administration. The Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology, and ANO Dialog were identified as key players in the disinformation efforts, all operating under the direction of Sergei Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff in the Presidential Executive Office. Internal documents, such as strategy notes and project proposals, revealed direct Kremlin control. The DOJ also noted that these entities received orders from top Russian officials, including Kiriyenko, to carry out influence operations, including efforts to sway foreign elections like the 2024 US Presidential Election.
Not just the US: In addition to targeting US citizens, the “Doppelganger” influence campaign extended its reach to several other countries, including Germany, Mexico, and Israel. According to the Department of Justice, the Russian-backed actors aimed to manipulate the public opinion of citizens in these nations to align with Kremlin objectives. The campaign sought to weaken international support for Ukraine and undermine the United States’ relationships with these countries by spreading disinformation that promoted pro-Russian policies.
As of 11 AM PDT, the Russian government has not commented on the report. We will update this story when they do.
