The SBU cyber specialists blocked another influence campaign by Russia. In Kyiv, the SBU exposed pro-Russian troll farm that intended to discredit Ukraine in the international arena.

Following the instructions of Russian curators, the perpetrators disseminated anti-Ukrainian slogans and misleading information about the results of the Crimea Platform. To conduct propaganda, they used Facebook, Instagram and Tik-Tok, as well as over 15,000 fake accounts which pretended to be average citizens.

The SBU documented that among organizers were four residents of Kyiv. They arranged the office in downtown.

The perpetrators received money from Russia curators via forbidden payment systems.

During the searches, the SBU seized the following items:

• 300 modems for Internet access;
• several thousands of SIM cards;
• dozens of mobile terminals;
• computer equipment.

Within the criminal proceedings initiated for creating for the purpose of use, dissemination and distribution of harmful software and hardware, as well as their dissemination and distribution, the investigation is underway to prosecute those involved into illegal activity.

The operation was carried out by the SBU Main Directorate in Kyiv and Kyiv region under the supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.