Russia has claimed that "Ukrainian intelligence agencies" are attempting to buy up propaganda Telegram channels
Russia has alleged that Ukrainian intelligence agencies have attempted to acquire Russian propaganda Telegram channels.
Russian media outlets reported this information, citing the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service.
According to the Russian side, the owners of so-called “military” and “patriotic” Telegram channels began receiving offers to sell their resources in late April.
Russian intelligence claims that the offers allegedly came through fake accounts created in the names of “public opinion leaders.”
The SVR stated that after the purchase, the channels were allegedly intended to be used to “discredit” the Russian leadership and the Russian Armed Forces.
At the same time, the Russian side has not provided any evidence to support these claims. The reports also do not specify which Telegram channels are involved or whether any actual attempts to sell them were recorded.
Russian media note that the information was disseminated by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service itself, but no public confirmation or documentary evidence has been released.
In 2026, Russia significantly increased funding for foreign propaganda—to $1.85 billion, which is more than half as much as last year. Ukrainian intelligence has documented the expansion of the Kremlin’s influence networks in Europe and a shift in tactics—from overt propaganda to more covert information campaigns.
Ukrainian authorities state that Russia spends billions of dollars annually on cultural and children’s propaganda. A significant portion of these funds is directed toward media content and influence-building through cartoons and digital platforms, Berezhna emphasized in Kyiv on Tuesday during the presentation of the results of a study on Ukrainians’ content consumption, conducted by Gradus on behalf of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, with support from the MHP-Gromadi Charitable Foundation. Officials in Kyiv stress that the response must be the development of Ukrainian cultural products.
