January 16, 2026
Pro-Kremlin Matryoshka bot network promotes Maduro-like capture scenarios involving EU leaders — and Volodymyr Zelensky
The pro-Kremlin bot network known as “Matryoshka” has used the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as part of an attempt to undermine the approval ratings of several democratic leaders, according to the watchdog Bot Blocker project (@antibot4navalny), which revealed its findings to The Insider
TL;DR
- The pro-Kremlin bot network "Matryoshka" is using the capture of Nicolás Maduro to spread disinformation.
- Fabricated videos claim European leaders could be abducted using similar methods.
- The disinformation campaign falsely attributes content to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and other media outlets.
- The network aims to undermine approval ratings of European leaders and influence Armenia's upcoming elections.
- "Matryoshka" is a coordinated Russian disinformation campaign involving bots, trolls, and anonymous media outlets.
- The operation creates fake content and artificial information waves across multiple platforms like X, Telegram, and Bluesky.
- Bots mimic real users and use logos of Western media to appear credible.