The fact-checking platform Hibrid.info has continued to be targeted by a coordinated disinformation campaign known as “Matryoshka,” which distributes false and manipulative content on the official editorial email address. However, this time, the largest number of different disinformation narratives have focused on France.
During the first quarter of this year, Hibrid.info has received a significant number of emails, the contents of which follow a well-known pattern of information influence operations, linked to pro-Russian networks. In addition to France, a number of emails have also contained narratives affecting other countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland, Spain and Ukraine.
Content of email addresses
The received email addresses contain links to platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Telegram and TikTok, where videos and posts with unfounded claims are published. A common characteristic of this content is the imitation of well-known international media and institutions through the use of logos and visual elements, with the aim of increasing false credibility.
The narratives disseminated aim to present France as a country in deep political, social and security crisis. They include claims of rising crime, economic destabilization, terrorist threats and involvement in international scandals.
Analysis of these contents shows a recurring pattern of narratives that construct a negative image of France. The main claims include:
- Accusations against President Emmanuel Macron of corruption, links to international scandals and political manipulation;
- Allegations of increased crime and insecurity, often linked to Ukrainian immigrants or refugees;
- Narratives linking France's support for Ukraine to negative economic consequences, including jeopardizing pensions and declining living standards;
- Allegations of increased terrorist threats and internal destabilization;
- Conspiracy theories involving secret international agreements, political interference, and information manipulation.
These narratives are designed to influence public perception by constructing an exaggerated and untrue picture of reality in France.
The "Matryoshka" model of disinformation
Dubbed Matryoshka (Russian for "nesting doll"), the campaign is characterized by the use of multiple, interconnected pieces of content, which are distributed through various channels to create a cumulative effect on public opinion. The operation was discovered by the anonymous volunteer group Antibot4Navalny in collaboration with AFP in January 2024 (see here).
Hibrid.info has previously been the subject of similar campaigns, where questionable content was sent for verification, as well as content aimed at portraying Ukraine as a state that is destabilizing Europe (see here), false content related to Moldova and President Sandu (see here), disinformation about international events such as the Olympics (see here), etc.
The “Matryoshka” campaign represents an advanced example of information manipulation operations, which use a combination of technology, social networks, and media impersonation to influence public opinion.
The recent case of email addresses sent to Hibrid.info shows that these efforts are ongoing and aim to expand their influence beyond national borders.
In this context, the role of fact-checking and media education remains essential to identify and counter these disinformation narratives, contributing to preserving the integrity of information in the digital space.