The Murky Origin Story of #IstandwithRussia - How influencer networks proliferating across social media

The individuals in ‘about me section,’ the 1,782-word terms and conditions the display pictures of 3 of the Account X accounts state “this profile does not in any way represent the views, seem to be the same, while the fourth is masked. [...] United, The #IStandWithRussia Project/s, WTTV – Russia, WTTV - #AccountX, #WTTV & #WTR.”   While the Account X accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube claim to be the founder The Account X accounts are also on Twitter, of the #IstandwithRussia campaign, the Account Instagram, and VK. [...] It is links to his PayPal account similarly where the Account X accounts first started using the #IstandwithRussia, coupling it with a “grassroots” series of videos intended to highlight the global popularity of the Russian regime, under fire for its annexation of Crimea and the downing of the Malaysian airliner in the same year. [...] file: 8 The Murky Origin Story of #IstandwithRussia How influencer networks proliferating across social media platforms spread pro-Kremlin narratives and hashtags Twitter: The #IstandwithRussia Flood On March 4, the Account X account on Twitter began pushing the #IstandwithRussia campaign with increased frequency, in a span of 27 minutes, it posted the hashtag with the message “keep the hashtag #I. [...] While the focus of the briefing homed in on the use of the Account X accounts to spread pro-Kremlin narratives and content, the accounts are also engaged in disinformation in the Australian public sphere, such as COVID-19 lockdowns and American politics, sharing dubious sources that seek to create further political fissures as Australian elections loom.