Ghost Empire

The Internet Research Agency, or IRA, in St. Petersburg, Russia.

A mole among trolls: Inside Russia's online propaganda machine

Russian journalist Vitaly Bespalov worked in the now-infamous Internet Research Agency, which employed internet trolls to reinforce state-sanctioned messages.

A mole among trolls: Inside Russia's online propaganda machine
The statue of liberty and an American flag are on a blue sky, with words in Russian at the bottom of the image.

A guide to Russian ‘demotivator’ memes

A guide to Russian ‘demotivator’ memes
A person is bent backward as a bag flies overhead during a game outside a polling place.

Putin wins, surprising no one, but voter turnout rose

Putin wins, surprising no one, but voter turnout rose
A crowd of young people are gathered. Two hold up two large signs in Russian.

There are no surprises in Russia's upcoming elections. Putin will win.

There are no surprises in Russia's upcoming elections. Putin will win.
Alexander Borodai (C), former prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, poses with delegates during the Union of Donbass Volunteers congress in Moscow, Russia, Oct. 10, 2015.

Russia’s shadow armies: Soldiers, mercenaries or volunteers?

Russia’s shadow armies: Soldiers, mercenaries or volunteers?