Operation “Doppelganger”: what the FBI knows about Russia’s latest fake news assault on Ukraine
October 4, 2024
The United States Federal Bureau for Investigation (FBI) has revealed details of Russia’s extensive disinformation campaign aimed at manipulating public opinion in the West.
by JesusMcTurnip
5 comments
Operation “Doppelganger”: what the FBI knows about Russia’s latest fake news assault on Ukraine The United States Federal Bureau for Investigation (FBI) has revealed details of Russia’s extensive disinformation campaign aimed at manipulating public opinion in the West.
This disinformation campaign, known as “Doppelganger” (from the German word “Doppelgänger,” which refers to a double of a living person, often in ghostly form), involved creating fake versions of major news outlets to spread pro-Russian narratives and undermine support for Ukraine.
This article summarizes key findings from court documents filed by the FBI in the eastern district of Pennsylvania, United States, where the case of this large-scale Russian disinformation campaign is being examined.
*Key Points:*
Russia created a network of at least 60 fake news sites mimicking major Western media outlets, such as Reuters, Fox News, Bild, Der Spiegel, and The Washington Post, among many others. The campaign aimed to spread pro-Russian narratives and undermine support for Ukraine. Operated by Russian government officials and tech companies, the operation targeted the US, several European countries, Mexico, and Israel. The campaign used sophisticated methods, including AI, targeted advertising, and crypto payments to hide its origins. Organization of the Doppelganger campaign The FBI investigation revealed that the Doppelganger campaign was orchestrated by high-ranking Russian officials, including Sergei Kiriyenko, the First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia. Operating since at least May 2022, the operation was executed through organizations under his control:
These entities, deeply embedded within the Russian government apparatus, focused their efforts on influencing election campaigns, deploying bot networks, designing deceptive websites, and coordinating sophisticated information systems.
The FBI agent’s testimony highlighted the close ties between these organizations and various Russian government bodies, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Under the direction and control of the Russian Presidential administration, and in particular Sergei Kiriyenko, Russia has conducted the Doppelganger campaign since 2022. Photo via Wikimedia.
Under the direction and control of the Russian Presidential administration, and in particular Sergei Kiriyenko, Russia has conducted the Doppelganger campaign since 2022. Credit: Wikimedia.
Other key figures in the operation include:
Ilya Gambashidze: A political technologist and co-founder of Structura, Gambashidze played a pivotal role in planning and implementing the disinformation strategies. His detailed notes, obtained by investigators, provide a glimpse into the inner workings of the campaign.
Nikolai Tupikin: Current leader of Structura, working in tandem with Gambashidze to further the Kremlin’s agenda. Both Gambashidze and Tupikin now find themselves under US sanctions for their roles in promoting Russian government interests and deceiving American citizens. Sofia Zakharova: An official from the Russian Department for Information and Communication Technology Development, Zakharova spearheaded the campaign in Europe and Ukraine. Her involvement highlights the direct link between the Kremlin and the disinformation machinery. The Doppelganger campaign created over 60 counterfeit websites that closely mimicked the design and content of popular Western media outlets such as Fox News and The Washington Post. These fake sites published a mix of genuine news and skillfully crafted false stories to manipulate public opinion.
Key aspects of the operation included copying the layout, design, and branding of legitimate news sites. Furthermore, genuine links were embedded to create the illusion of authenticity. The counterfeit websites published articles under the names of real journalists with their photos and bylines.
*Continued in next comment*
Excellent post. This article and mention of it is something we can re-share to people who do not yet understand the level of social manipulation Russia is using directly against our populations.
These kind of news should be headlining newspapers and media all over the world but they are not because the same media would hence have to eat the crow and admit they have been very eager to spread at least some of these lies all along.
So nothing changes.
People of western countries who fear to get in war against russia: we are already in a war. We civilians are all targeted by russia. Just because there are no bombs does not mean we are not targeted.
Guess who is behind the cyber attack against the dutch police data base?
5 comments
Operation “Doppelganger”: what the FBI knows about Russia’s latest fake news assault on Ukraine
The United States Federal Bureau for Investigation (FBI) has revealed details of Russia’s extensive disinformation campaign aimed at manipulating public opinion in the West.
This disinformation campaign, known as “Doppelganger” (from the German word “Doppelgänger,” which refers to a double of a living person, often in ghostly form), involved creating fake versions of major news outlets to spread pro-Russian narratives and undermine support for Ukraine.
This article summarizes key findings from court documents filed by the FBI in the eastern district of Pennsylvania, United States, where the case of this large-scale Russian disinformation campaign is being examined.
*Key Points:*
Russia created a network of at least 60 fake news sites mimicking major Western media outlets, such as Reuters, Fox News, Bild, Der Spiegel, and The Washington Post, among many others.
The campaign aimed to spread pro-Russian narratives and undermine support for Ukraine.
Operated by Russian government officials and tech companies, the operation targeted the US, several European countries, Mexico, and Israel.
The campaign used sophisticated methods, including AI, targeted advertising, and crypto payments to hide its origins.
Organization of the Doppelganger campaign
The FBI investigation revealed that the Doppelganger campaign was orchestrated by high-ranking Russian officials, including Sergei Kiriyenko, the First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia. Operating since at least May 2022, the operation was executed through organizations under his control:
These entities, deeply embedded within the Russian government apparatus, focused their efforts on influencing election campaigns, deploying bot networks, designing deceptive websites, and coordinating sophisticated information systems.
The FBI agent’s testimony highlighted the close ties between these organizations and various Russian government bodies, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Under the direction and control of the Russian Presidential administration, and in particular Sergei Kiriyenko, Russia has conducted the Doppelganger campaign since 2022. Photo via Wikimedia.
Under the direction and control of the Russian Presidential administration, and in particular Sergei Kiriyenko, Russia has conducted the Doppelganger campaign since 2022. Credit: Wikimedia.
Other key figures in the operation include:
Ilya Gambashidze: A political technologist and co-founder of Structura, Gambashidze played a pivotal role in planning and implementing the disinformation strategies. His detailed notes, obtained by investigators, provide a glimpse into the inner workings of the campaign.
Nikolai Tupikin: Current leader of Structura, working in tandem with Gambashidze to further the Kremlin’s agenda. Both Gambashidze and Tupikin now find themselves under US sanctions for their roles in promoting Russian government interests and deceiving American citizens.
Sofia Zakharova: An official from the Russian Department for Information and Communication Technology Development, Zakharova spearheaded the campaign in Europe and Ukraine. Her involvement highlights the direct link between the Kremlin and the disinformation machinery.
The Doppelganger campaign created over 60 counterfeit websites that closely mimicked the design and content of popular Western media outlets such as Fox News and The Washington Post. These fake sites published a mix of genuine news and skillfully crafted false stories to manipulate public opinion.
Key aspects of the operation included copying the layout, design, and branding of legitimate news sites. Furthermore, genuine links were embedded to create the illusion of authenticity. The counterfeit websites published articles under the names of real journalists with their photos and bylines.
*Continued in next comment*
Excellent post. This article and mention of it is something we can re-share to people who do not yet understand the level of social manipulation Russia is using directly against our populations.
These kind of news should be headlining newspapers and media all over the world but they are not because the same media would hence have to eat the crow and admit they have been very eager to spread at least some of these lies all along.
So nothing changes.
People of western countries who fear to get in war against russia: we are already in a war. We civilians are all targeted by russia. Just because there are no bombs does not mean we are not targeted.
Guess who is behind the cyber attack against the dutch police data base?
They really are a cancer on the planet