'Portal Combat': France unearths misinformation network based in Moscow

French military and cybersecurity experts have uncovered a network based in Moscow disseminating propaganda and disinformation across western Europe.

France’s Viginum agency, established in 2021 to detect digital interference aimed at manipulating public opinion, asserts that Russia is orchestrating a fresh wave of online manipulation ahead of crucial events such as the European elections.

The network, dubbed “Portal Kombat” by the agency, comprises at least 193 sites disseminating pro-Russian propaganda defending the Russian invasion of Ukraine while disparaging the government in Kyiv. Much of this disinformation is spread through social media platforms and messaging apps, targeting individuals propagating conspiracy theories.

Researchers at Viginum, who conducted analysis between September and December last year, trace the origin of this mass disinformation campaign back to Moscow. One pro-Russian channel on the French Telegram app is reportedly publishing up to nine articles an hour.

The European Commission, NATO, and UN agencies have identified disinformation as a major threat to democracy in 2024. Disinformation is now considered a “national security issue,” with hybrid attacks incorporating disinformation potentially escalating to the level of armed conflict, according to a senior NATO official.

UN Communications Secretary-General Melissa Fleming highlighted the detrimental impact of disinformation, fostering suspicion and hatred while undermining peacekeeping efforts.

EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell characterized this new form of warfare as centered on influencing minds rather than causing physical harm, emphasizing the power of words and ideas.

Věra Jourová, the EU’s vice president for values and transparency, condemned the Kremlin’s efforts to spread propaganda and interfere in democracies, commending the determination of France, Germany, and Poland to counteract these activities.

The sites associated with the disinformation network mainly disseminate material from Russian and pro-Russian sources on social media, Russian press agencies, and other official Moscow-aligned accounts. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, these sites have targeted Russian communities in Ukraine and several Western countries, including France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Spain, the UK, and the US.

While the propaganda campaign aims to cover the Russo-Ukrainian conflict positively for Russia while denigrating Ukraine and its leaders, security experts note that the network’s impact appears limited, with relatively low traffic on the portals targeting Western audiences.