French cybersecurity agency Viginum, established in 2021 to counter foreign digital threats, has exposed a significant Russian disinformation operation designed to manipulate public opinion in the West. Through meticulous analysis conducted between September and December 2023, Viginum uncovered “Portal Kombat,” a network of at least 193 websites disseminating false narratives favorable to the Kremlin. These sites have been particularly active in spreading misleading information about Russia’s military engagement in Ukraine, attempting to justify the invasion as a legitimate operation and criticizing Western nations for their support of Ukraine.
The operation targets a wide range of Western countries, including France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Spain, the UK, and the US. Many of these websites feature “pravda” in their domain names, mirroring tactics used in Russian-language disinformation campaigns within Ukraine.
Viginum’s findings reveal a sophisticated structure behind the network, with sites hosted on IP addresses sharing common characteristics and targeting both Russian and Ukrainian audiences. The content, often copied from pro-Russian social media accounts and press agencies, is distributed through automated systems, including translation services, to maximize dissemination. Additionally, the network exploits controversial topics to sow division within Francophone public discourse, leveraging existing conspiracy theories and skepticism towards political, media, and international organization decisions.
This revelation comes as the EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, emphasizes the critical challenge disinformation poses to democratic processes, especially in an election-heavy year for many countries. The French government’s accusations extend beyond the Ukraine conflict, suggesting Russia’s broader intention to influence elections in the UK, the EU, and the US, and to disrupt major events like the Paris Olympics.
French officials attribute the campaign to Russian state entities and affiliates, identifying efforts to spread propaganda through various platforms, including social media and mimicked websites.
Expanded Coverage:
The Guardian
