; Germany’s Der Spiegel and Die Welt; and La Stampa in Italy.
The research into online activity was conducted during ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine earlier this year. “By hijacking the comments sections of Western media brands, it has been able to present its propaganda as indicative of mainstream opinion,” he added. Researchers used data science recognition and detection techniques, which indicated an orchestrated campaign, with suspicious account profiles repeatedly changing their persona and location.