Armenia is facing a widespread disinformation campaign backed by the Kremlin ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7. Researchers confirm that this campaign is among the most extensive in recent years, with 343 fake videos published by early May. This campaign began in early March and is part of an operation known as "Matryoshka," which increasingly employs artificial intelligence techniques.
The campaign includes false claims suggesting that the victory of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is focused on a European orientation, could lead to war between Armenia and Russia. The Antibot4Navalny group, which studies bot networks, has identified over ten fake videos featuring Pashinyan and French President Emmanuel Macron, which repeatedly promote the false allegation that the two leaders have made a "secret deal."
Details of the Event
On May 11, a fake video was published claiming that Pashinyan's press secretary confirmed the presence of NATO trainers in Armenia and that after the parliamentary elections, he would "stir up military conflict with Russia." However, there is no evidence to support these claims. Although some of these posts garnered tens of thousands of views, researchers assert that the numbers were artificially inflated.
The election campaign is taking place amidst increasing cooperation between the European Union and Armenia, with the first summit between the EU and Armenia held in the country in early May. The summit was attended by several prominent European figures, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and President Macron of France. During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations.
Background & Context
During the summit, Pashinyan stated that Armenia is entering a "new period of peace," creating a favorable environment for developing bilateral relations. Two months into the campaign, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Armenia could face consequences similar to those experienced by Ukraine if it seeks further integration with the European Union.
On March 26, 2025, the Armenian parliament voted overwhelmingly to begin the process of joining the European Union, a move supported by the Civil Contract Party led by Pashinyan. However, Moscow has repeatedly accused Western entities of interference, claiming that the EU encourages the Armenian government to rig the parliamentary elections.
Impact & Consequences
Research shows that the Russian campaign, known as Storm-1516, also targets Pashinyan on social media, using a network of disinformation aimed at destabilizing democratic institutions. German and French intelligence agencies have described this campaign as a network of information maneuvers aimed at undermining democracy.
The campaign's methods show an evolution in its tactics, as the network of influencers and marketing bots has expanded. The campaign has also begun using accounts that claim to be local and specific to the country, increasing its impact. According to analysis by Ella Mori, the campaign targets Armenia for the same reasons that prompted it to intervene in elections in Moldova and Hungary.
Regional Significance
These events are particularly significant for the Arab region, as they reflect how disinformation is used as a tool to influence elections and policies in sovereign states. The increasing cooperation between Armenia and the European Union may open new avenues for relations between Arab countries and the EU.
In conclusion, this campaign highlights the challenges facing emerging democracies in the face of disinformation, underscoring the need to enhance awareness and monitoring worldwide.