French authorities have alerted the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs regarding Russian efforts to expand disinformation operations into Ireland in the lead up to the upcoming European elections next month. This Russian network of websites and social media accounts became public knowledge last February when French security reported that Moscow was using it to create discord in France and other EU countries by stoking conflict around controversial topics like immigration.
The mission, as per Viginum, a newly established French agency responsible for combating aggressive disinformation campaigns, is to undermine European backing for Ukraine in its defensive conflict with Russia, enhance Russia’s international image, and stir up dissatisfaction within Western societies.
Last week, French authorities communicated to their Irish counterparts in the Department of Foreign Affairs that these operations have expanded into Ireland since March and have generally grown more noticeable in the lead up to the European elections set to take place here on the 7th of June.
Security agencies suspect that Russia hopes that candidates from the political extremes will be successful in the elections, thereby weakening EU backing for Ukraine. The network of websites and social media accounts tailors its approach to each country but generally does not create new content, instead circulating talking points from Russian or pro-Russian figures or pro-Kremlin news agencies.
Since its disclosure in February, the French have christened the disinformation network “Portal Kombat” and its expansion has been significant. In late March, 31 fresh websites were launched, including a specific one targeting Ireland.
This Irish website surfaced on March 20th, along with websites targeting Portugal, Cyprus, and several other EU nations. The IP address for all these sites is located in Russia, according to the French. The Irish site remains active. On Friday, it featured main stories such as allegations that the Ukrainian army is attacking civilians trying to escape from Kharkiv and an article concerning “a clash between African illegal immigrants and Irish nationalists in Ireland,” accompanied by a video of a street fight in Dublin.
The site also published two articles about an Irish “journalist” named Chay Bowes and his endorsement of Russia. Nonetheless, he was consistently misnamed as “Chay Bose”.
Mr. Bowes, previously a co-founder of The Ditch news website, has lately surfaced as a notable internet broadcaster of content pro-Kremlin and is currently on the payroll of the TV station Russia Today.
In a rather controversial episode, the platform slammed the Eurovision performance of Irish contestant Bambie Thug as “demonic” and “satanic,” with one piece even declaring, “Ireland’s satanists are the most memorable contestants of Eurovision 2024.”
Regardless of the apprehensions voiced by France, the effects of the website on shaping Irish public perception remain uncertain. The platform primarily features Irish language content, often of inferior quality, and a connected Telegram channel shows a following of just seven users.
French state representatives have cautioned Irish officials that the website could just be a hint of what’s to come regarding Russian misinformation techniques, with more clandestine networks probably at work.
Addressing the issue, an official representative from the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that they are alert to the “pro-Russia Portal Kombat campaign which was recently exposed by Viginum.” She strongly condemned such actions as entirely inacceptable.
The spokesperson emphasized that the department frequently liaises with other government agencies regarding overseas meddling and that Ireland actively collaborates with its fellow EU countries in these matters. She added that forging global alliances serves as a key strategy to thwart such campaigns.