Meta Takes Down Russian-Linked Network Targeting Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, August 16, 2024
Meta has announced the removal of a coordinated inauthentic behavior (CIB) network originating from Russia that was targeting Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. The network, which was dismantled after an internal investigation, included 76 Facebook accounts, 30 Pages, and 11 Instagram accounts. The operation was reportedly designed to manipulate public opinion in these countries through fictitious news websites and fake social media profiles.
According to Meta's report, the network operated by creating and promoting fake news websites tailored to the specific countries they targeted. These websites, which had distinct branding to appear legitimate, spread politically charged content across various platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Telegram, and TikTok.
In Georgia, the network focused on recent protests against the controversial "foreign agent law," with posts that criticized the demonstrators and supported the ruling Georgian Dream party. In Armenia, the operation posted content supportive of Russia, criticized Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and commented on the detention of a former Armenian official in Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, in Azerbaijan, the network shared posts critical of the West and focused on local events.
The individuals behind this network used fake accounts to manage pages, post content, and direct users to their off-platform websites. Although some of these accounts were detected and disabled by Meta's automated systems before the investigation, the network managed to build a following. Approximately 3,800 accounts followed one or more of these Facebook Pages, while around 1,850 accounts followed the Instagram profiles associated with the network.
Meta's investigation revealed that the network was linked to individuals associated with a Moscow-registered marketing firm called IMA Digital. The operation spent about $77,000 on ads, primarily paid for in U.S. dollars, to boost their reach and visibility.
Meta discovered this network as part of an ongoing internal investigation into repeated attempts by actors associated with previously removed inauthentic behavior, initially flagged by the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), a Georgian non-profit. The earlier efforts were more basic in nature but targeted multiple platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and Telegram.
Despite efforts by the operators to conceal their identities and coordination, Meta's investigation successfully uncovered the links to the Moscow-based firm. The company has since removed the network's presence from its platforms but noted that the fictitious news websites created by the network are still operational and continue to post content.
