Cyprus has reported being targeted by a malicious disinformation attack that portrays its leadership as corrupt, echoing previous Russian campaigns against other countries. A video on social media features snippets of three political figures discussing their ties to the president, suggesting influence peddling and claiming that President Nikos Christodoulides exceeded campaign funding limits through illicit donations for his 2023 election. It alleges that the government would block EU sanctions against Russian oligarchs for corporate cash. An analysis by the Cyprus Security Services indicates that the video shares characteristics with organized Russian disinformation methods used in past operations. Despite lacking tangible evidence, this type of content, known as “kompromat,” is meant to damage reputations. The video comes as Cyprus prepares for parliamentary elections, causing political uproar and calls for investigations. Government officials condemned it as filled with “lies, deceptions, and unfounded claims.” Since taking office, Christodoulides has shifted Cyprus towards a pro-Western stance, supporting Ukraine against Russia. The timing of the video, coinciding with Cyprus’s recent assumption of the EU presidency, raised suspicions of foreign involvement. This incident adds to a growing list of accusations against Russia for employing disinformation campaigns in various countries.
Cyprus Denies Corruption Claims Amid Suspected Russian Disinformation
By xpectafight
