Storm-1516 is a Russian disinformation network active since 2023, flooding Western countries with fabricated stories involving politicians, especially targeting Ukraine's Zelensky and interfering in elections in the US, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, and Armenia. The network uses fake videos, counterfeit news websites, and anonymous influencers primarily on X, supported by Russian military intelligence (GRU) and linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin's troll factory. High-profile politicians in the US have repeated some false claims. The campaign is directed by Sergei Kiriyenko and coordinated by GRU officers, with EU sanctions imposed on associated actors. The disinformation rate increased significantly in early 2026, aiming to undermine trust in democratic processes ahead of US elections.

Storm-1516 is a Russian disinformation network active since 2023, flooding Western countries with fabricated stories involving politicians, especially targeting Ukraine's Zelensky and interfering in elections in the US, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, and Armenia. The network uses fake videos, counterfeit news websites, and anonymous influencers primarily on X, supported by Russian military intelligence (GRU) and linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin's troll factory. High-profile politicians in the US have repeated some false claims. The campaign is directed by Sergei Kiriyenko and coordinated by GRU officers, with EU sanctions imposed on associated actors. The disinformation rate increased significantly in early 2026, aiming to undermine trust in democratic processes ahead of US elections.