Pro-Kremlin operators suspected of posting FAKE Guardian article online
GETTY Pro-Kremlin operators are suspected of posting a hoax Guardian article online
Although the genuine Guardian news site was not hacked, the fake piece was designed to look like an authentic Guardian online news story. In the hoax article, former head of MI6 Sir John Scarlett is quoted as saying British and American intelligence agencies organised the Rose Revolution in Georgia in 2003. According to the hoax article, it was part of a plot to bring about the “strategic disintegration” of Russia. Nato had been secretly planning to take control of “all of Russia’s shores, along with the Black Sea”, the fake piece reported.
The article had the same font, format and banner as a genuine Guardian news story and appeared under the byline of an actual reporter. It also appeared under a plausible-looking domain name, “theguardıan.com”, with the character “ı” replacing the “i” in the paper’s web address. The article was removed yesterday after its clumsy language brought it to the attention of experts who suggested it had been created by Kremlin supporters. Ben Nimmo, an expert on European security and hybrid warfare, said: “This is a combination of technical skill and linguistic incompetence which has all the fingerprints of pro-Kremlin operators, though it’s not clear whether they’re official operators such as the troll factory, or independent operators.
GETTY Sir John Scarlett was quoted in the fake piece
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“The effort to mimic the Guardian website is quite skilful, using a fake URL very similar to the real one, and linking back to genuine articles. The use of language is much less skilled and has mistakes typical of Russian speakers. “The overall narrative is consistent with Kremlin claims of western plots to dismantle Russia, especially ones backed by the CIA.” “The reference to the UK is less common but necessary, given the alleged attribution to Sir John Scarlett.” Intelligence agencies are increasingly wary of pro-Russian efforts to influence public debate and news coverage in western nations.
GETTY The genuine Guardian news site was not hacked