Russian bot farm which spread fakes is exposed in Ukraine

This was reported by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU).

Law enforcement officers found that the organizer was a former police officer, a resident of Kamianets-Podilskyi, who worked from home, and the equipment allowed him to register hundreds of anonymous accounts daily.

His main "clients" were representatives of the Russian special services.

The suspects bought fake accounts and used them in popular social networks, allegedly on behalf of Ukrainians, to undermine the internal political situation in the western regions.

More than 2,000 bots spread disinformation about the situation at the front, urged Ukrainians to evade mobilization and discredited the military and political leadership.

The mastermind of the scheme received payment for "renting" fake accounts through Russian electronic payment systems.

During the searches, the investigators found equipment with evidence, hundreds of SIM cards, specialized hardware and software.

The offender is to be served a notice of suspicion.

• In 2022, the SBU exposed a Kyiv bot farm with 10,000 accounts.

• In September 2022, a bot farm used by Russian PR companies to wage an information war against Ukraine was also dismantled in the capital.