Storm-1516
Aliases: CopyCop, Storm-1516
- Origin
- RU
- Primary motivation
- ideology
- Sophistication
- advanced
- Resource level
- government
- Actor type
- nation-state
- Profile updated
- 2026-07-07 12:24:02
Targeted industries: media-and-entertainment government-and-public-sector
Targeted regions: country_code:us country_code:fr country_code:ca
Context
CopyCop is a Russian covert influence network that has established over 300 fictional media websites targeting the US, France, Canada, and other countries, primarily to disseminate pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian narratives. The network employs TTPs such as deepfakes, fake interviews, and self-hosted LLMs for content generation, while also impersonating local media outlets and fact-checking organizations. Its operations are supported by the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise and the GRU, aiming to undermine support for Ukraine and exacerbate political fragmentation in Western nations. CopyCop's influence content is amplified by a network of pro-Russian social media influencers and other Russian influence networks.
Reports & references
- recordedfuture.com — Copycop Deepens Its Playbook With New Websites And Targets (report)
- recordedfuture.com — Russian Influence Assets Converge On Moldovan Elections (report)
- recordedfuture.com — Stimmen Aus Moskau Russian Influence Operations Target German Elections (report)
- defense.gouv.fr — Storm 1516 Dessous Dune Operation Dinfluence Russe (report)
- sgdsn.gouv.fr — Analyse Du Mode Operatoire Informationnel Russe Storm 1516 (report)
- raw.githubusercontent.com — Microsoftmapping (report)