Russia sets up information warfare units

Russia's Defence Minister announced on 22 February 2017 during an address to the country's parliament that the military had created a force tasked with waging information warfare.

The announcement was seen as heightening the West's concerns about increased misinformation campaigns sponsored by Russia.

• Primary Source

The Independent, 23.02.17: Russia announces new branch of military to focus on information warfare amid hacking allegations http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-military-information-warfare-hacking-allegations-a7594456.html

Reuters, 22.02.17: Russia sets up information warfare units - defence minister http://www.reuters.com/article/russia-military-propaganda-idUSL8N1G753J

EurActiv, 27.02.17: Russian official: Information war part of ‘battle for the consciousness of the masses’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/russian-official-information-war-part-of-battle-for-the-consciousness-of-the-masses/

---