A Bulgarian woman has admitted to participating in a Russian disinformation campaign in Austria. This is reported by a number of media outlets, citing Austrian intelligence.
According to the information, the woman participated in a campaign that aimed to change public opinion about Ukraine. For this purpose, stickers and graffiti were posted in various public places in Austria, supposedly pro-Ukrainian. However, they also included Nazi symbols to instill the idea that Ukraine is a pro-Nazi state, as Russian propaganda claims. Similar content has also been distributed online.
Links to Jan Marsalek and Bulgarian spies in London
A Bulgarian woman was arrested in December at the center of the case. The spy scandal involving her is part of an investigation into a larger group of Russian spies. It is alleged that it was organized by the former Wirecard manager Jan Marsalek, who is believed to have fled to Russia. Several Bulgarian citizens were recently convicted of espionage in London. According to the court, they worked for Marsalek. According to Austrian authorities, the Bulgarian, who works in Vienna, had contact with the London cell. She also had contact with Egisto O. and Martin V., former Austrian intelligence officers also suspected of Russian espionage.
The Austrian authorities have uncovered an "intelligence operation" by analyzing data from a search of the Bulgarian's home after her arrest in December last year. According to media reports, it was activated in 2022 and monitored public figures, including politicians and journalists. She was also supposed to damage the image of Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky through actions both online and offline.
The Interior Ministry has already reacted to the information shared by the services. "We Austrians prefer to form our own opinions", wrote State Secretary for Security Jörg Leichfried.