Meta takes down Russian network spoofing Western news sites

Social media company Meta says it has disrupted ‘the largest and most complex Russian-origin operation since the beginning of the war in Ukraine’. The primarily targeted countries were Germany, France, Italy, Ukraine, and the UK. Original articles were attacking Ukrainian refugees and suggesting that Western sanctions on Russia will backfire.

Meta announced it took down a vast network of Facebook and Instagram profiles spreading misinformation that had been spoofed on more than 60 websites across Europe.

The primarily targeted countries were Germany, France, Italy, Ukraine, and the UK. Original articles were attacking Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees and suggesting that Western sanctions on Russia will backfire.

Meta said it succeeded to take down thousands of Facebook and Instagram accounts, while stating that this is ‘the largest and most complex Russian-origin operation that we’ve disrupted since the beginning of the war in Ukraine’.