Disinformation and election influence: Russia is trying with all its might to stop Armenia’s rapprochement with the West
фото: Reuters
Russia has intensified covert operations aimed at disrupting Armenia’s political course toward rapprochement with the West and influencing the country’s upcoming elections, including disinformation campaigns, vote-stealing schemes, and support for pro-Russian candidates.
This is reported by Reuters .
According to Western intelligence and government sources, Moscow has stepped up its interference in Armenia’s domestic political processes ahead of the elections, which are scheduled to take place on June 7. The main goal is to weaken the position of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who advocates rapprochement with the European Union and NATO.
It is noted that Russian structures are using information campaigns aimed at discrediting the current Armenian government and supporting political forces loyal to Moscow. Scenarios of influencing the vote through the mobilization of the Armenian diaspora in Russia are separately considered.
According to the agency’s sources, the Kremlin has been discussing a scheme to transport citizens of Armenian origin from Russia to participate in the elections. This involves the potential displacement of tens of thousands of voters, which could affect the outcome of the vote.
The report also reports the creation of information resources and a disinformation network aimed at undermining trust in the Armenian government. The materials mention the use of botnets and political consultants to spread pro-Russian narratives.
In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the publication contained false statements and “anti-Russian rhetoric.” The Armenian government did not comment on the specific allegations, but announced measures to counter disinformation and ensure transparency in the elections.
Earlier, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin criticized Armenia and warned about the “unacceptability” of a course towards European integration without agreement with the Kremlin, threatening a “Ukrainian scenario.”
As a reminder, the first-ever bilateral summit between Armenia and the European Union took place in Yerevan on May 5. The event is being held with the participation of the Armenian leadership and top EU officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. Political scientist Oleg Sahakyan analyzed the change in geopolitical accents in the region on the air of “Pryamoye”, pointing to the gradual displacement of Russian influence and the growth of Kyiv’s role as a security partner
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