The so-called Internet Research Agency at Ulitsa Savushkina 55 in SPB was under the control of his rival, and has since been dismantled, but cyber disinformation units of the GRU, such directorates 74455 and 26165, are certainly going full blast. Especially for one busy fighting a hot war on one border, it is not remotely feasible economically for Putin to consider a shooting war elsewhere for the moment. A cyber campaign, especially if augmented with an infusion of cash here and there, is a very economical way to wage combat without risking losses or detection. When I get the chance, I read the comments section of a few US sources like the Washington Post, and there are always dozens or more pro-Trump/Anti-Democratic posts by oddball names who leave out articles (i.e. a, an, the), or don't use the verb "to be" in the present tense, or forget to say "of" when it's warranted, such as "basket full apples" instead of "basket full OF apples"
. These are hallmarks of Russian, and are among the most common mistakes Russians make when trying to write in English.
I have to think they are involved in planting other stories/movements, such as Pizzagate, or Brexit. They serve no one, and are negative to everyone. Very cost efficient--lots of damage at virtually no cost. Let the gullibility of the population do the rest of the work for you. It's what I would do in Putin's shoes, and just what a wily ex-КГБ officer would dream up.
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