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Russian Intelligence Linked to Far-Right European Propaganda Network
A far-reaching investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project has uncovered a sophisticated propaganda operation connecting German far-right activists, Russian intelligence officers, and Bulgarian intermediaries. The network centers around the outlet Anonymous News, which has been disseminating pro-Russian content aimed at undermining European democracies.
In February, the network published an article containing fabricated allegations linking French President Emmanuel Macron to Jeffrey Epstein. The piece appeared under the fictional byline “Achim Detjen,” a name referencing a Cold War-era spy character. France’s Viginum service subsequently identified the operation as “Storm-1516,” confirming it was directly coordinated by Unit 29155 of Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU.
At the heart of this network stands Mario Rönsch, a German far-right activist with a controversial past. Rönsch first gained prominence organizing anti-immigration rallies in Germany and creating Facebook groups with millions of followers under the “Anonymous Collective” banner. He later profited approximately €100,000 from selling weapons through an online store called “Migrantenschreck” (“Migrant Terror”), which eventually led to his imprisonment in Germany.
After serving his sentence, Rönsch relocated to Moscow, where he established a consulting firm and launched a YouTube channel portraying life in Russia in a favorable light. His current project, Anonymous News, operates on Russian hosting infrastructure and has published hacked British government documents previously circulated by Russia’s Foreign Ministry.
The investigation revealed an elaborate financial structure designed to obscure the operation’s true nature. Donations from European readers, meant to support what appeared to be legitimate editorial activities, were channeled to a PayPal account belonging to Czech company AN Media. The 2026 budget for this operation reportedly exceeds €102,000.
Bulgarian investigative outlet Bird.bg discovered that AN Media’s official owner is Ivelin Borisov, an impoverished Bulgarian villager living in dilapidated conditions. When interviewed, Borisov admitted receiving just €200-300 to sign documents in the Czech Republic without understanding their contents. He speaks no German, has never authored any articles, and was unaware of the media business established in his name.
The Czech company’s administrator, Magdalena Průšová, confirmed that the registration was arranged by “a German man named Mario” and revealed that the company is currently undergoing forced liquidation by a Prague court for failing to submit required financial reports.
Technical analysis by Ukrainian outlet Toronto Television established direct connections to Russian security services. Content promotion for Anonymous News was conducted through a Telegram account called “Corob_12,” operated by 38-year-old Russian citizen Alexey Bashilov. Data leaks revealed Bashilov ordering food deliveries to the Federal Security Service (FSB) headquarters at Bolshaya Lubyanka 1 in Moscow.
Colleagues reportedly refer to Bashilov as “Lyosha FSB,” and his office landline is registered to military unit 43753—the FSB’s Information Protection and Special Communications Center. Bashilov also administers the Telegram channel “Notes of Woland,” whose content is frequently shared by prominent Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov and State Duma deputy Andrey Lugovoy, a suspect in the 2006 poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in London.
Expert Katharina Bader explains that outlets like Anonymous News function within a vast ecosystem designed not merely to spread misinformation but to fundamentally erode public trust in politics and traditional media. The constant exposure to questionable narratives conditions audiences to view all information sources with suspicion, regardless of their credibility.
When journalists began questioning Bashilov about his involvement, his social media accounts were promptly deleted and the channel’s activities ceased—further supporting the connection to Russian intelligence operations.
This investigation highlights the increasingly sophisticated methods deployed by Russian intelligence services to influence public opinion and destabilize Western democracies through coordinated disinformation campaigns.
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9 Comments
While the details of this case are disturbing, I’m glad to see investigative journalism bringing these covert operations to light. Exposing the truth and debunking false narratives is an important step in defending against foreign influence.
I’m curious to learn more about the specific tactics and technologies used in this propaganda campaign. Understanding the methods employed can help us develop better defenses against future attempts to sow discord and undermine our institutions.
This is a timely reminder that the threat of foreign interference in our elections and political processes is ongoing. We must remain vigilant and strengthen our resilience against these malign efforts to manipulate public opinion.
The links between the German far-right, Russian intelligence, and this propaganda network are deeply troubling. We must continue to investigate these connections and expose the truth to the public.
I agree, the level of coordination and sophistication of this operation is alarming. Countering foreign disinformation campaigns should be a top priority for European security and democratic institutions.
The involvement of Russian military intelligence in this propaganda network is deeply concerning. We need to ensure robust security measures and robust information safeguards to protect our democratic processes from such subversive activities.
This report highlights the importance of international cooperation and information-sharing to combat cross-border disinformation campaigns. Coordinated efforts between governments, civil society, and tech platforms are essential to counter these threats.
This is a concerning report on how Russia is using disinformation and propaganda to undermine European democracies. It’s crucial that we remain vigilant against foreign interference and hold those responsible accountable.
This news highlights the need for robust fact-checking and media literacy efforts to help citizens identify and resist manipulative propaganda. Maintaining a well-informed public is key to preserving the integrity of our democracies.