Austria Exposes Large-Scale Russian Disinformation Campaign Linked to Bulgarian Spy

Austrian authorities have exposed a large-scale Russian disinformation campaign aimed at manipulating public opinion against Ukraine, following the arrest of a Bulgarian woman suspected of espionage for Russia. The investigation, conducted by the Austrian State Security and Intelligence Directorate, revealed that the campaign began shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, targeting German-speaking countries, particularly Austria. The disinformation tactics included online propaganda, as well as offline methods such as stickers and graffiti designed to mislead the public into believing they were pro-Ukrainian activism. State Secretary Jörg Leichtfried emphasized that such disinformation undermines trust in institutions and poses risks to democratic processes. The detained suspect was identified as a key contact for Russian intelligence and documented her activities, which included disseminating false narratives and coordinating with other operatives in Europe. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding foreign influence and espionage within Austria, following previous scandals involving Russian intelligence.