Telegram channels replaced by a state agency: how the Kremlin “raised” propaganda pressure on Armenia to a new level

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (FSB) issued a report on November 12 titled “Yerevan’s Kiss,” alleging Armenia’s intention to “sever ties” with Moscow “for political reasons.”

The FSB, citing its information, claimed that the French Foreign Ministry was both “surprised” and “delighted” at the same time that “Yerevan has decided not to buy grain from Russia anymore.” 

Instead, according to the report, there is a decision to import Ukrainian grain, which is “expensive,” for which Yerevan will ask Brussels for help.

“The EU is being offered a “three-in-one” deal: grain for Armenia, support for Kyiv, and the forming distrust between Moscow and Yerevan. This is what Yerevan’s kiss (the metaphor of Judas’ or traitor’s kiss, -ed.) looks like,” the service concludes.

Dmitry Peskov, the Press Secretary of the Russian President, immediately commented on the topic, claiming that the FSB reports “are never groundless.”

Pashinyan called the information nonsense

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan refuted the circulated information twice on the same day. During a briefing with journalists in the National Assembly, he called the news “absolute nonsense.” Then, during a Q&A session in the Parliament, he noted that Armenia will never turn away from buying wheat from Russia.

“But Armenia will neither ever turn away from looking into other options on the market, other sellers of heat, and other offers. I guarantee that it is unquestionable that if someone tells us, ‘We have wheat, would you like to buy it?’ we will not shut our ears and run away. That will not happen,” Pashinyan said.

It is noteworthy that even after official Yerevan’s refutations, Russian state institutions continued to circulate the report of the FSB. Just hours after Pashinyan’s statements, the social media resources of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs republished the FSB report also in English translation.

From Telegram channels to state agencies: new horizons in hybrid attack

Previously, Russian propaganda and disinformation campaigns targeting the Armenian audience were carried out mainly through various Telegram channels and other social media resources and pro-Russian “experts”; in this case, instead of a “social media debate,” the format chosen to issue the message was an official state agency.

In fact, we are dealing with a new level of hybrid tactics, and here is why this is notable.

Propaganda material that might have previously appeared on a Telegram channel would not enjoy the same level of credibility and weight as a message from the Russian FSB. In other words, what was previously just talk is now transforming into official information from an authoritative source.

In fact, the effect of institutional authority is being put into play which can make any false narrative more convincing and credible.

Disinformation as a tool for toughening “soft pressure”

By raising disinformation to the level of an intelligence report, Russia toughening pressure on Armenia with the aim of greater influence on sovereignty, partner choice, and public sentiment.