Kremlin-Backed Fake Wikipedia Clones: How Russia Plans to Spread Propaganda.

Leaked Documents from Social Design Agency

According to Espreso.tv: Bloomberg journalists have obtained internal files from the Russian firm Social Design Agency (SDA), which is under sanctions from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union for its role in information operations supporting the Kremlin. These documents detail a project aimed at creating cloned websites mimicking Wikipedia to push pro-Russian narratives.

Project Plans and Execution

As part of this initiative, a search-engine-optimized resource was planned for Armenia. Investigators identified three such sites launched in early 2026, though a hosting provider has since suspended them. Additionally, the project targeting Germany involved developing roughly 200,000 web pages, with plans to update content monthly to maintain high search engine rankings.

The creators also intended to use six artificial intelligence platforms, which would be 'trained' using the generated content. These documents highlight SDA's ongoing activities in information manipulation and its efforts to shape public opinion across different nations.

This information underscores the persistence of disinformation strategies employed by Russia to extend its influence beyond its borders.

The creation of Wikipedia clones is particularly alarming, as it threatens to undermine access to factual data and amplify misinformation in countries already grappling with information warfare challenges. In today's global information landscape, it is crucial to remain vigilant and critically evaluate sources, especially with the rise of new technologies and platforms that can be exploited for manipulation.