Russia targets Italy with Matryoshka disinformation operation

An investigation has revealed a sophisticated Kremlin-led disinformation campaign, known as Operation Matryoshka, targeting several countries including Italy. Unlike previous efforts involving low-paid troll farms in Saint Petersburg, this new initiative is a highly structured project managed by the Russian Presidential Administration.

The operation is overseen by Sergei Kiriyenko, the Kremlin's deputy chief of staff, and involves the Agency for Social Design. The goal is to promote Russian narratives within unfriendly nations by spreading false content that is difficult to identify directly as Russian propaganda, even on Western news sites.

Key figures in the project include Aleksandr Kharichev, who leads the directorate for the control and analysis of social processes, and Sofia Zakharova, who manages ICT development and communication infrastructure for Western countries. The workforce consists of hundreds of highly qualified professionals, including graduates from MGIMO and Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees, rather than low-wage internet trolls.