Russia’s continued attempts to manipulate the information environment (23 january 2025)

The EEAS, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden denounce Russia's continued and systematic attempts to manipulate and interfere in the information space of democratic societies. Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) operations against the European Union and our partners aim to destabilise our societies, sow mistrust in our institutions, and undermine international and public support for Ukraine. We will not let foreign malign actors achieve their objectives. We are well prepared and equipped to detect, expose and counter Russian FIMI operations.

"Foreign information manipulation and interference is a fundamental part of Russian military activities. It aims at creating distrust, sparking domestic divisions, and influencing democratic decision-making. We have to fight it. The best way to counter such malign activities remains the same: expose them, provide facts and the truth and support independent press." said Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Russian state and pro-Kremlin affiliated actors are coordinating to conduct foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) attacks. These operations are carried out through Russian diplomatic network and security services, state-controlled media, social media channels, private companies and local proxies, used in an integrated manner to multiply and amplify each other.

On the 16th of December 2024, the European Union imposed restrictive measures on two additional individuals behind the "Doppelganger" campaign, under a new framework for restrictive measures in response to Russia's hybrid activities and destabilising actions abroad. The "doppelganger campaign", first uncovered by EU Disinfo Lab in September 2022 , is a favoured FIMI tactic by the Kremlin, which impersonates reputable media outlets or personas seeking to deceive the public to consume its propaganda.

The EU and its Member States, our international partners and civil society organisations collaborate closely to expose and counter FIMI operations such as the "Doppelganger" campaign. This includes sharing effective measures and experiences in the application of national and EU legal instruments through the Rapid Alert System, conducting scientific research, and educating diverse groups of society about Russian tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs). We do this to protect the integrity of our open information space and strengthen the resilience of our democracies.

We remain vigilant and aware that this campaign, and others like it, are part of Russia's long-standing, persistent and systematic efforts to undermine international support for Ukraine and stoke divisions within the EU and with its partners across the world. We stand united with Ukraine and democratic forces globally in our commitment to counter this threat, in full respect and compliance with human rights and fundamental freedoms, making full use of the instruments and means at our disposal.