Russian influence network in Europe: list of promoted politicians

The Russian influence network in Europe, which covered controlled media outlets and loyal politicians, has got faces. Following the Czech and Belgian authorities statements about Russia’s attempts to bribe MEPs to promote its propaganda through the Voice of Europe website, researchers found which European politicians were promoted by this website.

Anton Shekhovtsov, a visiting professor and researcher at Central European University and at the Research Center for the History of Transformations, published a list of European politicians who were promoted by the Russian agents of influence via its recently disclosed front organization “Voice of Europe” on YouTube, starting in August 2023.

The list includes politicians known for pushing pro-Kremlin agendas and making pro-Russian statements, such as German far-right leader Maximilian Krah, French nationalist Thierry Mariani, Slovak right radical Milan Uhrík, and the radical leader of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik.

Last week, the Czech counterintelligence agency BIS disclosed a Russian influence network that aimed to influence the European Parliament elections. According to the Czech media, the exposed network aimed to influence politicians in six countries: Poland, Hungary, Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

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