French agency says Russian efforts have become more pronounced generally in the run-up to the European elections in June
A network of Russia n websites and social media accounts was first revealed last February when French security officials alleged Moscow was using it to sow discord in France and other EU countries by exploiting grievances around divisive issues such as immigration.
The network of websites and social media accounts is adapted for each country but for the most part do not produce original content, instead repeating talking points from Russian or pro-Russian personalities or pro-Kremlin news agencies. The Irish site remains live. On Friday its main stories included claims the Ukrainian army is shooting civilians fleeing Kharkiv and a piece about “a battle between illegal immigrants from Africa and Irish nationalists in Ireland,” alongside video of a street fight in Dublin.
Other articles on the site criticised the “demonic” and “satanic” performance of Irish Eurovision entrant Bambie Thug on Tuesday night. “Ireland’s satanists are the most memorable contestants of Eurovision 2024..,” one article read. A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the “pro-Russian Portal Kombat campaign recently uncovered by Viginum”, and said such activities were “completely unacceptable”.
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