A former senior Defense Department official specializing in Russia issues tells McClatchy that Russian propaganda operatives are alive and well and continuing to infiltrate online social networks, even as news accounts expose the work of one Kremlin-linked Internet Research Agency (IRA) troll factory in St. Petersburg.
Michael Carpenter warns "[d]ozens, if not hundreds of troll networks' supported by Russian operatives are likely operating today, including in countries outside Russia such as Albania, Cyprus and Macedonia."
Information warfare expert Molly McKew adds:
"I don't think there are many troll factories in organized buildings,' like the one in St. Petersburg. Russians like to structure things in very informal networks, with one or two people connected to a Russian source.
The Kremlin also likes to stay "one step back so they have deniability in all their operations."
Read more: Russia-sponsored troll networks still operating, targeting America (McClatchy)