Russia Floods Armenia With Disinformation Ahead of Election

Article excerpt

As Armenia prepares for elections, Russian state-linked groups and intelligence agencies are flooding the country with disinformation aimed at discrediting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, according to researchers tracking the campaign. The Kremlin appears to fear losing its longtime grip on Armenia, a former Soviet state where Russia maintains a military base and deep historical ties. The disinformation effort targets Pashinyan's government through coordinated social media campaigns, fake news sites, and messaging networks. Experts say the operation reflects broader Russian efforts to meddle in elections across the former Soviet sphere, particularly in countries seeking closer ties with the West or pursuing independent foreign policies.