Russia Escalates Disinformation Campaigns Across Regions, Including Armenia

Russia has intensified its disinformation efforts in Armenia as the South Caucasus nation strengthens its ties with the European Union, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

During her opening remarks at the Extraordinary Meeting with the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kallas highlighted a troubling pattern: countries pursuing closer EU integration face increased pressure from foreign influence operations.

“Russia and its proxies are ramping up disinformation campaigns, including in Armenia ahead of next year’s election,” Kallas stated. She drew parallels with Moldova, which she described as “this year’s primary target” of similar tactics, while noting that Moldova’s experience demonstrated that “this challenge can be overcome.”

The warning comes at a critical juncture for Armenia, which has been pivoting westward following strained relations with Russia, its traditional security partner. The shift accelerated after the 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, when many Armenians felt abandoned by Moscow despite defense agreements between the two nations.

Armenia is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections in 2026, but the growing Russian disinformation campaign suggests Moscow is laying groundwork well in advance to influence public opinion and potentially undermine pro-European candidates.

Russia has long used information warfare as a tool to maintain influence in its perceived sphere of interest, particularly in former Soviet republics. These operations typically exploit existing social divisions, promote anti-Western narratives, and attempt to discredit democratic processes.

Security experts note that Russian disinformation tactics have evolved in recent years, moving beyond traditional media to sophisticated social media campaigns, including the use of artificial intelligence to create convincing fake content and targeted messaging aimed at specific demographic groups.

The EU has strengthened its partnership with Armenia since 2017 through the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which promotes political association and economic integration. In 2023, the EU also launched a civilian monitoring mission along Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan, further cementing European presence in the region.

For the Kremlin, Armenia’s westward shift represents another potential loss of influence in the strategic South Caucasus region, which Russia has historically viewed as its backyard. Similar dynamics have played out in Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova, where Russian information operations intensified as those countries pursued closer EU ties.

“This is a predictable response from Moscow,” said Anna Karapetyan, an Armenia-based political analyst interviewed for this report. “As Armenia diversifies its foreign policy and security arrangements, Russia feels its influence slipping and is responding with the tools it knows best—propaganda and disinformation.”

The EU has developed several mechanisms to counter such threats, including its East StratCom Task Force, which specifically monitors and responds to Russian disinformation. The bloc has also provided support to partner countries to build media literacy and strengthen independent journalism.

Kallas’ comments suggest the EU recognizes the need to support Armenia’s resilience against information manipulation as the country approaches its electoral cycle. Her reference to Moldova’s success in withstanding similar pressure offers a potential roadmap for Armenia.

Moldova, which was granted EU candidate status in 2022, successfully resisted extensive Russian interference during its 2023 constitutional referendum and presidential election, partly through increased awareness campaigns and international support.

For Armenia, navigating this challenge will require balancing its historical ties with Russia while pursuing European integration—all while maintaining public trust in its democratic institutions against the backdrop of sophisticated foreign influence operations.

The growing Russian disinformation campaign highlights the geopolitical significance of Armenia’s democratic trajectory and suggests that information security will be a key battleground in the country’s path toward greater European integration.