The Russian Intelligence Service Is Calling: How to Recognize and Resist Putin’s Trolls

Have you ever received a message from a stranger online, asking you to join a protest, sign a petition, or share a news article? If so, you might have been contacted by a Russian troll, a paid agent of the Kremlin who uses social media to spread disinformation and sow discord in the West.

Russian trolls are part of a larger campaign of hybrid warfare, which combines conventional, cyber, and information operations to undermine the security and stability of other countries. Russia’s objective is to create as much societal discontent and conflict as possible, leading to a breakdown of our democracy and trust in our institutions.

One of the journalists who has exposed this threat is Jessikka Aro, a Finnish reporter who has been investigating Russian online influence since 2014. Aro has faced relentless harassment and intimidation from Putin’s supporters, who have tried to discredit her work and force her to flee her native country. Aro has documented her experience and findings in her book Putin’s Trolls, a best-selling must-read on how Russia is trying to create chaos and panic in the West.

In her book, Aro reveals how Russian trolls operate on various platforms, such as YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, and PayPal, as well as Facebook and Twitter. She also interviews experts and activists who have been targeted by Russian propaganda, and offers advice on how to recognize and resist it.

Some of the signs that you might be dealing with a Russian troll are:

• They use fake or stolen identities, often posing as journalists, activists, or ordinary citizens.
• They post inflammatory or divisive content, such as conspiracy theories, false accusations, or hateful messages, aimed at provoking emotional reactions and polarizing opinions.
• They amplify their messages by using bots, automated accounts that generate and spread content, and by creating fake hashtags and Twitter campaigns.
• They coordinate their activities with other trolls, organs, and proxies of the Russian state, such as state-funded media outlets, civil society organizations, and hackers.

If you encounter a Russian troll online, Aro suggests that you:

• Do not engage with them, as this will only give them more attention and credibility, and expose you to more harassment and manipulation.
• Report and block them, as this will limit their reach and influence, and alert the social media platforms to their malicious behavior.
• Verify and fact-check the information they share, as this will help you distinguish between truth and lies, and prevent you from falling for their deception.
• Educate yourself and others about the threat of Russian disinformation, as this will increase your awareness and resilience, and reduce the impact of their campaign.

Aro’s book is a timely and important reminder that we are not only facing a ballistic War, but also a global information war. Russia is not our friend, but our adversary, and we need to be vigilant and prepared to defend ourselves and our values. As Aro writes, “The Kremlin’s information war is not a game. It is a serious threat to our security, freedom, and democracy.”

KyivPost. (2023, November 16). The Russian Intelligence Service Is Calling [Video]. YouTube