Russian intelligence is operating a systematic program to launder pro-Kremlin propaganda through private relationships between Russian operatives and unwitting US and western targets, according to newly declassified US intelligence.
The campaigns have sometimes been effective at planting Russian narratives in the Western press, according to the intelligence.
Those claims eventually found their way into a television report on the far-right OANN in the United States, according to open-source materials provided by the official.
“At the end of the day, this unwitting target is disseminating Russian influence operation, Russian propaganda to their target public,” the US official said.
“Ultimately, a lot of these are unwitting people — they remain unaware who is essentially seeding these narratives.”.
In fact, the FSB directed his efforts and “almost certainly financed the project,” according to the declassified intelligence.
The US official declined to say whether Russia has used these same tactics to try to influence US elections. »
