Meta blocks Russian influence network ahead of parliamentary elections in Armenia
Meta has reported the discovery of a covert influence network linked to the Russian nonprofit organization ANO Dialog, which, ahead of Armenia's parliamentary elections in June 2026, sought to increase support for the "Powerful Armenia" party and Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan.
According to Meta's threat report for the second half of 2026, the company blocked 25 accounts and 13 pages on Facebook linked to this operation, as well as 13 accounts on Instagram. The network's pages were followed by about 9,600 Facebook users, and its Instagram accounts by about 10,400.
"The network targeted Armenia's parliamentary elections in June 2026, attempting to increase support for the 'Powerful Armenia' party and Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan," the report says.
According to Meta, the campaign was aimed not only at audiences inside Armenia, but also at the Armenian diaspora in Germany, France, and the United States. The network operated simultaneously on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, distributed publications from real media outlets, and created its own media brands, in particular Ar Media.
Videos with "talking heads" created by artificial intelligence were also used to distribute materials.
Meta links the operation to ANO Dialog — an organization that the company classifies among structures connected to Russian state institutions.
Previously, U.S. authorities linked it to operations such as Doppelganger and to structures operating under the de facto leadership of Sergei Kiriyenko, deputy head of the Russian presidential administration.
Source: Bagramyan 26
