Russian Information Operations in the 2024 Election Cycle
In the run-up to the 2024 parliamentary elections, Russian information interference in the Georgian information space intensified. Despite repeated statements from senior Russian officials that Russia was not interfering in the Georgian elections, the Russian information campaign was conducted in a coordinated manner before and after the parliamentary elections. [1] Both officials and agencies (Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, senior officials), as well as Kremlin-backed media outlets and a funded anonymous information network were involved in this campaign. The main disinformation spread from Russia during the pre-election period centered around the West's plan to organize a color revolution in Georgia and an attempt to change the government. This operation was conducted in a coordinated manner for several months and continued in parallel with the protests on the streets of Tbilisi after the elections. In the run-up to the election, the targets of Russian disinformation also included regions populated by ethnic minorities. It is also noteworthy that some of the messages originating from Russia were consistent with the narratives spread by the Georgian Dream or its affiliated media outlets or anonymous accounts.
Russian information interference in the European Union and Georgia
Foreign information operations and interventions are one of the most important challenges of the modern world. The aim of these operations is to influence public opinion and manipulate issues around values in target countries using planned tactics and techniques. Such activities are manipulative and coordinated, and are carried out by government or independent actors operating from within or outside the country. Information operations especially activate during important political processes in countries. One such process is elections, when malicious actors use various tactics to influence domestic political processes, incite political polarization, and disorient voters.
The European Union's External Action Service (EEAS) has been actively researching foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) threats since 2022. [2] According to reports, the main actor behind external threats is mostly Russia. Its main targets are the European Union, European values, member states of the organization, the neighborhood and other global partners. [3] The architecture of information operations conducted by Russia includes both official channels, including official government statements (Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, government reports, comments by senior officials) and government-controlled media outlets (Russia Today, Sputnik, TASS, NewsFront), as well as disguised, anonymous accounts that are not directly linked to the Kremlin, but anonymously seek to strengthen its influence. According to the latest EU report, published in March of this year, the target topics of Russian information operations in 2024 included elections to the European Parliament, elections in Moldova, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the ongoing events in Georgia. [4]
Georgia has been the target of Russian information operations for many years. The fight against external information manipulation and anti-European disinformation was the first among the nine steps that the European Commission issued after announcing its recommendation to grant Georgia candidate status at the end of 2023.[5] Russian propaganda in Georgia focuses more on creating an image of the West as an enemy and anti-Western sentiments than on presenting Russia in a positive light, as public opinion polls show that the sentiments in the country are sharply anti-Russian and the majority of the population considers Russia to be the biggest political threat. [6]
The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) has been monitoring political campaigns and external interference on social media since 2018. The monitoring results showed that in the early years, the main actors who tried to influence the Georgian information space with anti-Western and pro-Russian messages were Kremlin-linked media outlets Sputnik and Newsfront. Based on ISFED’s investigations, Meta removed inauthentic Facebook networks associated with these media outlets several times, which is why their operation on the platform is limited and they work only with a small audience, mainly using Telegram.
However, it became clear that after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and with the expectation of Georgia’s EU candidate status, Russian propaganda and external interference in the country intensified, albeit in a modified form. Russia began conducting anonymous coordinated campaigns on social media platforms not only in Georgia but also in other countries of the South Caucasus, spending financial resources. Based on ISFED’s investigations, Meta deleted the network several times. Based on Meta’s report published in August 2024, the network spent a total of 77 thousand US dollars on advertising in the South Caucasus. [7] Although the aforementioned anonymous network focused largely on Georgian foreign policy and aimed to discredit the values of the European Union and the United States, it also concentrated on domestic political issues. In particular, pages managed from Russia spread messages supporting the Georgian Dream and discrediting opposition parties. Despite the network being deleted several times, it continues to return to Facebook and conduct an information operation in various forms.
ISFED examined the key tactics and messages that Russia used in the months leading up to the 2024 parliamentary elections and during the pro-European protests after October elections.
Russian intelligence disinformation about the West's attempt to stage a color revolution in Georgia
Messages during the May protests against Russian law
Russian intelligence began actively spreading statements about the Georgian elections in the summer. However, as early as the spring of 2024, during the protests against the so-called Russian Law (Law On Transparency of Foreign Influence), Russian propagandists and high-ranking officials were spreading messages that the US was supporting unrest in Georgia by financing the protests and wanted to open a second front in the country. [8]
Screenshot 1: Elections-2024: Changes or Liberal Quagmire? “Foreign agents are staging a coup in Georgia, in Armenia – patriots” – Alexander Dugin
Screenshot 2: Elections-2024: Changes or Liberal Quagmire? “This is what democracy is to you: in one case, the US is actively supporting the unrest in Georgia, but it does not criticize Armenian government for suppressing the demonstrations” – what does Maria Zakharova say.
"Such statements and threats of sanctions are an attempt to trigger a color revolution in Georgia... [The US wants] achieve the overthrow of the current government in Georgia and plant supporters of ex-president Mikhail Saakashvili in commanding positions.," - Dmitry Suslov, the deputy director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, interview with the Kremlin-backed TASS agency, 24.05.2024. [9]
"We can see attempts by the Westerners to escalate the situation in Georgia ahead of the parliamentary elections set for October. We don’t rule out that the goal is to try to implement a 'maidan-like' scenario for a change of government in order to create another hotbed of tensions near Russia’s border," - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin. Interview with the Kremlin-backed TASS agency, 4.06.2024.[10]
Earlier, in early May of last year, the State Security Service of Georgia also stated that during the ongoing protests near the parliament, certain groups of individuals were trying to organize provocations at the protests, develop violent scenarios, and “Maidanize” the process, which was led by the leaders of political parties and NGOs with funding from foreign countries. [11] Leaders of the Georgian Dream, members of the People’s Power and individuals supporting the party and positioning themselves as experts spread the similar narratives. The leaders of the Georgian Dream continued to stress that “Maidan” could not take place in Georgia. Pro-government actors spread disinformation on social media that an instructor had been brought from the United States to destabilize the country. In fact, the person in question had lived in Georgia for years and worked as an English teacher. [12]
Screenshot 1: Elections 2024: Changes or Liberal Quagmire? SSS: Certain groups try to stage provocation in from of the parliament. The group are managed and funded from abroad.
Screenshot 2: Elections 2024: Changes or Liberal Quagmire? Prime Minister: Violent youth organizations - that are funded by Kezerashvili’s and foreign donors’ black and non-transparent money – are active during the protests
Scereenshot 3: Sputnik Georgia. Kobakhidze: No one can expect Maidan in Georgia. „What about the parallels between Maidan and processes in Georgia. I want to tell everyone, that nobody can expect Maidan happen in Georgia. I want to remind you what were the results of Maidan for Ukraine. In reality, then Ukrainian government was appointed from abroad and in the end, whoever appointed the government from abroad, did not take the responsibility for the events that later developed in Ukraine… What we should cherish the most is the independence of our country, because nobody will take responsibility for protecting interests of our country. This is what Ukrainian example showed us”, - said Prime Minister.
Screenshot 4: Elections 2024: Changes or Liberal Quagmire? “Patrick Hernandes – an instructor brought from the US to stage unrest in the country” – Tamta Megrelishvili
Screenshot 5: Elections 2024: Changes or Liberal Quagmire? Who are the foreigners detained during May 13 protests?
Screenshot 6: POSTV Analytics - Patrick Hernandes – an instructor brought from the US to stage unrest in the country. So that you know, we won’t let you do so, never! - Tamta Megrelishvili
Russian intelligence disinformation about the US plotting a revolution after the elections
On July 9, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service released a statement that the United States was planning to change the government in Georgia through a color revolution after the October 26 parliamentary elections. According to the statement, Washington would act against the Georgian Dream on the pretext of its separation from the European Union, and that Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili and opposition parties would help the US in this. According to the Russian Intelligence statement, opposition would stage casualties at the protests they organized in order to direct people's aggression towards law enforcement officers. The statement also drew parallels with the 2014 revolution in Ukraine and noted that hired Georgian snipers also shot some of the people killed on the Maidan.[13]
On August 26, Russian intelligence released another statement, which also focused on the attempt to organize a color revolution. According to the statement, the White House was dissatisfied with the opposition forces in Georgia and intended to impose sanctions on members of the Georgian Dream. In addition, civil society organizations would be involved in the revolutionary processes and would negatively assess the election process even in the absence of violations. [14] The next day, the director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergei Naryshkin, stated that Russia wanted to prevent an attempt of a color revolution in Georgia by disclosing information on this issue. [15]
On September 11, a few weeks before the elections, Russian intelligence accused the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) of its involvement in a plan to stage a revolution in Georgia. According to the intelligence, 10-20 days before Election Day, the OSCE/ODIHR would publish a harsh report, which would emphasize the lack of conditions for holding fair elections in the country; this assessment would give the opposition a pretext to start mass protests in order to seize power in the country. [16] Similar statements were also made by other high-ranking officials.
Screenshot: Elections 2024: Changes or Liberal Quagmire? – Russian Foreign Intelligence maintains that the US plans to interfere in October 25 elections and will use OSCE/ODIHR for this.
“It seems that ODIHR plans to use these assessments to aggravate the situation in Georgia, and if the West does not like the election results, ODIHR’s conclusion could lead to another color revolution,” said Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry. [17]
On October 4, 2024, the Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergei Naryshkin, stated that the OSCE/ODIHR, commissioned by the US State Department, had prepared an interim report that contained a thesis that conditions for free and fair elections in Georgia did not exist. Naryshkin accused the West of trying to interfere in Georgia's internal affairs and not wanting "healthy, nationally oriented forces" to remain in power. [18]
An anonymous network controlled from Russia also spread messages on Facebook about a possible attempt to stage a revolution in Georgia after the elections. Pages in the Russian-controlled network spread messages, on the one hand, through Georgian-language articles and on the other hand, so-called humorous “memes” in parallel to the elections. From the end of August, the network began to accuse the opposition and the West of trying to stage unrest in Georgia. In September, the page Georgia Breaking News published an article published on a website connected to the Russian network, sakartvelo-today.org, in which it accused the US of trying to stage a “color revolution” after the parliamentary elections. The article stated that allegations of falsification of the election results would be used as a pretext. The posts in question were advertised, although the amount of money paid is unclear.
Screenshot 1: The West is awaiting the Georgian parliamentary elections thirsty for blood. The US and the European Union think they have chosen the best time to implement the color revolution scenario. They are preparing for a coup in our country after the Georgian government refused to impose sanctions against Russia and adopted the law "On Transparency of Foreign Influence", which obliges independent media and non-governmental organizations to reveal their sources of funding and the real goals of their work in Georgia.
Screenshot 2: Who are we? – Georgian Opposition
What do we want? – To stage a revolution
When do we want to stage a revolution? – As soon as we lose elections
Screenshot 3: The West that promised not to interfere in Georgian elections
It is worth noting that Russia has also been targeting regions in Georgia populated by ethnic minorities, including Samtskhe-Javakheti. The Russian-run Facebook page “Javakheti Diaspora in Russia,” citing the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, spread the above-mentioned message, alleging that the US was interfering in the parliamentary elections and, in cooperation with the OSCE/ODIHR, was planning to question the election results and launch protests if the Georgian Dream won.
Translation:
!! The Press Office of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation reports that, according to the data received by the FIS, the US State Department intends to use a new instrument to interfere in the parliamentary elections in Georgia on October 26 of this year with the goal of preventing the victory of the Georgian Dream party, which is unfavorable to Washington.
The Americans agreed on "cooperation" with the leadership of the Bureau of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the OSCE in the Georgian direction.
It is foreseen that the OSCE/ODIHR will publish an interim report 10-20 days before the vote with the conclusion that there are no conditions in the country for conducting free and fair elections. After the publication of the preliminary results of the election, a conclusion will be presented about the non-compliance of the electoral process with democratic norms.
Washington's intention is obvious and no longer surprising - to give a reason to the pro-Western Georgian opposition to launch mass protest actions with the aim of seizing power in the country by force. It is regretful that ODIHR participates in such machinations, while - as indicated on the official site of the OSCE, ODIHR "is called upon to provide assistance" to the member states of the organization in matters of human rights and fundamental freedoms, strengthen and protect democratic institutions, and also foster tolerance in society - participation in similar machinations is regretful.
We would like to especially note the readiness of the Office to recognize the vote as "undemocratic" a priori, long before the vote. This is evidence of the final transformation of the ODIHR into a mouthpiece for the dishonest games of the American authorities. In the current situation, Russia's decision to reduce funding for the OSCE seems justified in order to at least somehow weaken the destructive activities of this once respected international structure.
The Georgian Dream leaders also emphasized the attempt to create unrest in the country. In early September, Irakli Kobakhidze stated that the opposition may attempt to change the government during the 2024 elections, although they did not have the resources to organize a revolution. [19] In October 2024, during a speech at a meeting with the population in Zugdidi, Bidzina Ivanishvili emphasized that the 2003 revolution was organized by foreign actors and that they also had the desire to seize power this time, although they would not have the opportunity to do so.[20] Other Georgian Dream leaders also pointed to the alleged attempt of a coup:
"They are preparing for a coup, which they planned in 2020 and failed to carry out then. They are preparing a pretext for this by using those "NGOs" that are organizing election rallies and are involved in the election campaign - to compile false reports, as they did in 2020 by spreading fake PVT [results] in order to create a pretext for a coup," - Shalva Papuashvili, October 23, 2024. [21]
Along with Russian sources, the message that the US was planning a revolution in Georgia was spread on social media, on anonymous TikTok and Telegram channels operating against the opposition.
Screenshot 1: A must listen – USA is preparing a color revolution in Georgia
Screenshot 2: USA is preparing a color revolution in Georgia
Screenshot 3: To watch until the end - USA is preparing a color revolution in Georgia
Screenshot 1: Anti-Maidan
- The "Tbilisi Maidan" is planning to publish evidence of election fraud, declare non-recognition of the election results, and provoke law enforcement agencies to suppress violent protests.
- In addition, the United States plans to seriously increase pressure on the country's government in order to weaken the Georgian Dream's electoral positions as much as possible, notes FIS
- Subscribe and read news on telegram https://t.me/vicnobdet
Screenshot 2: Anti-Maidan
According to accurate information, after the results are announced on October 26, opposition leaders (foreign agents) will call on the population to gather in front of the CEC building! Their goal is to cause chaos in the first 48 hours and thus bring about a change of government! As we have learned, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili and her tireless foreign friends will not recognize the results announced by the CEC and will call on the government to hand over power.
Let us be vigilant and not allow the return of the torturous regime.
On October 4, Facebook page of the TV Imedi posted information that the US Embassy was calling on its citizens to be cautious, as large crowds were expected to mobilize for protest actions in connection with the October 26 elections. The Telegram channel of NewsFront also posted the card.
TV Imedi: Scandalous email of the US Embassy to its citizens: We call on you to exercise caution with regard to possible large crowds of people gathering or protesting with regard to October 26 elections in Georgia.
In the run-up to the elections, the far-right group Alt-Info actively disseminated propaganda statements of Russian intelligence and high-ranking officials on its Telegram channels. In addition, pro-Russian sources, including „Georgia and the World“, spread messages several days before the elections that the opposition, with Western patronage, was preparing young people to cause unrest after the elections.
Screenshot 1: World Politics
Russia wants to prevent attempts at a color revolution in Georgia by publishing information on this issue, Sergei Naryshkin, director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, told TASS.
"The fact that the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service has published information that [we] have been receiving and continue to receive about the hostile actions of not only Western intelligence services, but also government agencies, such as the US State Department, is a way to help prevent attempts of a color revolution in Georgia," Naryshkin said.
Screenshot 2: Alt-info
"According to data received by the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation, the United States is firmly committed to changing the government in Georgia," the press office of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service reported. RIA Novosti reports.
Screenshot 3: Elections 2024: Changes or liberal Quagmire?
The opposition needs „two corpses“ now as never, and it does not matter if those two corpses are placed on the roof of a booth on Rustaveli or elsewhere
Georgia and the world
Opposition and their patrons prepare the youth for staging an unrest
Disinformation messages about individuals arriving from Ukraine to organize provocations
A day before the elections, on October 25, the Kremlin-backed TASS news agency reported that a Ukrainian citizen living in Mariupol, a member of an extremist group and a former Azov soldier, had arrived in Georgia to organize protests and pay participants for doing so. According to TASS, Kyiv was training soldiers who would take part in mass protests in Georgia. According to the article published by the agency, the Ukrainian Defense Forces were collecting information on ethnic Georgians in Ukraine and planning to intimidate and pressure them into participating in the protests. [22] A few hours before the article was published, a media outlet supporting the Georgian Dream published an article stating that a Facebook group was looking for apartments in Tbilisi for Ukrainian volunteers to organize rallies and riots.
Screenshot: Media Holding Kvira
„You probably mean volunteers to organize rallies and unrest“ – #apartment search ads for #ukrainian volunteers upset #citizens
Friends, we need many apartments for Ukrainian volunteers for cheap, even if they are not renovated.
On October 28, the Kremlin-backed TASS news agency reported that snipers trained in Ukraine were arriving in Georgia to organize provocations during mass protests. According to TASS, a source from the region reported that the snipers were allegedly involved in carrying out a color revolution after the elections and were receiving orders from the West. [23]
TASS learned about snipers trained in Ukraine arriving in Georgia
The respondent of the agency noted that their aim is to organize provocations during peaceful rallies
On December 8, in parallel with the protests on Rustaveli, actors, media outlets, and anonymous pages affiliated with the Georgian Dream coordinated to spread information that hired snipers were planning kill people during the protests in order to cause unrest.
Screenshots: Attention!!
- There is #information!
- Evil forces are preparing for a big #provocation!!
- !!We learned that there is a threat that hired #snipers may take someones’ #lives in order to incite unrest
- Be careful and pay attention, friends. We will deal with this in unity, carefully and with love for our homeland!!
- Always in the service of Georgia and Georgians
- Please spread, friends
- Lisa Gegetchkori
Messages on the Revolution after the Elections
Russia continued to blame the West for the revolutionary scenario and unrest even after the elections. On November 1, the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, stated that the purpose of Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili’s declaration of the election results as illegitimate was to repeat the Maidan scenario in Georgia as a result of the protests. [24] On November 21, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, stated that the US and the EU wanted to destabilize the situation in Georgia and change the government in the country. [25] On November 26, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the West was planning to provoke an internal conflict in Georgia and organize a color revolution. [26] On the same day, the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergei Naryshkin, stated that another color revolution was imminent in Tbilisi. [27]
Screenshot 1: Elections 2024: Changes or liberal Quagmire?
The US and the EU want chaos in the Caucasus, destabilization of the situation, they want to change the government in Georgia. They want a government here that will work in favor of the West and not in favor of Georgia or Georgian people – Zakharova.
Screenshot 2: Elections 2024: Changes or liberal Quagmire?
Sergei Naryshkin: Tbilisi is facing another attempt of a color revolution. Let’s hope that this attempt by the West will fail.
Screenshot 3: Sputnik Georgia
I hope that the Western countries will be upset, when CIS countries celebrate victory over fascism together next year – Naryshkin
Statements of the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service:
- Another attempt of “orange revolution” in Georgia will fail as the attempts to stir unrest in Belarus and Kazakhstan
These messages continued to circulate after large-scale pro-European rallies began on Rustaveli Avenue due to Irakli Kobakhidze’s statement on the suspension of negotiations with the European Union. On December 2, the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, stated that the ongoing processes in Georgia were very similar to the Maidan in Ukraine and Georgia had all the signs of a color revolution. [28] In addition, the vice-speaker of the Russian Council, Konstantin Kosachev, issued a statement in parallel with the protests noting that the actions of the demonstrators were encouraged by the West. [29]
Screenshot 1: Alt-Info news
Deputy Chair of Security Council Dimitry Medvedev published a long post on his Telegram channel writing the following about the protests in Tbilisi:
„There is another attempt of a color („Rose“, „Orange“, etc) revolution in Georgia“. Part of the people in the streets scream, destroy and put everything on fire. The second half is silent. Expired “president” of Georgia, Zbigniew Brzezinski’s diligent French student, Mad Aunt Salome stated that she won’t leave her place because she does not recognize elections.
Screenshot 2: Elections 2024: Changes or liberal Quagmire?
“Georgia’s “expired” president, Mad Aunt Salome stated she won’t leave her chair - All the prerequisites exist for Georgia to once again fall into the abyss of a civil conflict, - Dimitry Medvedev
The pro-Kremlin agencies Newsfront and Sputnik portrayed the protests as violent and wrote that opposition leaders were calling the protesters to revolution.
Screenshot 1: Elections 2024: Changes or Liberal Quagmire?
“We must push them until we break them” – opposition leaders call protesters to revolution.
Screenshot 2: Sputnik Georgia
Smashing video cameras, shining lasers into the eyes of police officers, pre-emptively putting on gas masks and helmets - the Georgian opposition had all the attributes of a “peaceful natural protest” last night.
There was also a traditional “shock” from Western diplomats, who reported a "suppression of peaceful protests."
The Georgian president, whose term ends on December 16, went further and called on Western ambassadors to “act” to organize new elections in Georgia.
By morning, law enforcement officers were able to completely disperse the riot. 32 law enforcement officers were injured overnight, 13 of whom required surgery.
The opposition announced a new rally at 19:00.
A Russian-run anonymous network also spread messages about the violent nature of the protests and the West's plans. The sponsored articles published on Facebook by the Russian network indicated that the pro-European protests were violent, that the West's goal was to escalate the situation at the protests, and that the goal of the West, the opposition, the president, and the civil society was to destabilize Georgia.
Screenshot 1: But they said it would be peaceful – Georgian Pulse
Screenshot 2: Marketing modest: The west: Woohoo, the government falsified the elections, it’s time for a revolution! Opposition: We told everyone that we have facts of election fraud. But we have nothing to show. The West:
Screenshot 3: The cycle is complete.
224 voters voted for the new president. He will assume the office on December 29.
The Central Election Commission of Georgia officially declared Mikheil Kavelashvili as president-elect.
As expected, the elections were held against the backdrop of protests in front of the parliament building. So far, there have been no clashes with the police, although the situation may escalate in the evening. The protesters are being encouraged by the West and the incumbent President Salome Zourabichvili, who is trying with all her might to maintain power.
Screenshot 4: Sputnik Georgia
“Macron is still crouching” - Aliyev on unrest in Georgia
“It's good that the situation is now moving towards stability. And, you see, Macron is in a daze. A person cannot rest in his own country. He definitely needs to get involved in Georgia's affairs,” - said the Azerbaijani leader in an interview with the Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Company and RIA Novosti.
The leaders of the Georgian Dream also made statements about the scenario of the revolution. On November 29, one of the leaders of the Georgian Dream, Mamuka Mdinaradze, stated that the European Commission was planning to refuse to open negotiations with Georgia, which is why the opposition planned to organize unrest on December 16, but the Georgian Dream prevented this. [30] On November 30, Irakli Kobakhidze accused the "radicals and their foreign patrons" of trying to destabilize the country and Ukrainize Georgia, and noted that the "Maidan" would not take place in Georgia. [31] According to Shalva Papuashvili, the protests were developing according to the "Maidan" scenario. [32]
Support for the Georgian Dream and legitimization of the elections
Statements by senior Russian officials during the pre-election period conveyed a narrative that the Georgian Dream was distancing itself from the liberal agenda and defending national identity. On September 6, 2024, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the Georgian Dream had recognized Georgia's national identity and understood that the Georgian people had Orthodox values and a national culture, which the West was fighting against and was trying to impose an LGBT agenda on Georgia. [33] In addition, in late September, Lavrov called the then Georgian government "honest about the past" and expressed his readiness to help the Georgian government reconcile with the occupied territories. [34] In addition, on October 22, Sergey Lavrov said that he believed the Georgian Dream's statement that the West was trying to engage Georgia in a war with Russia.[35] On November 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia was not interfering in Georgia's internal politics, although he was surprised by the Georgian Dream's firm stance. [36] Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said that Georgia had pursued a pragmatic policy based on national interests. [37] On December 30, Sergey Lavrov said that the Georgian government was trying to align its foreign policy with national interests and to become independent from those Western countries that were pushing the country towards destabilization. [38]
Initiatives to restore diplomatic relations between Russia and Georgia have also been periodically voiced. On November 2, Dmitry Medvedev said that if Tbilisi so wished, diplomatic relations would be restored, although the ruling party has so far not wanted this. In early December, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, expressed readiness for bilateral relations with Georgia. [39]
Screenshot 1: Elections-2024: Changes or liberal Quagmire?
Sergey Lavrov responds to talks on the second front in Georgia from the BRICS summit in Kazan:
“I see no reason not to believe this [statement]. They cite as an example the dialogue with Western countries, which directly incited them to launch military action against Russia. I have no reason not to believe them.”
Screenshot 2: Elections-2024: Changes or liberal Quagmire?
Sergey Lavrov: The Georgian government does not want to be a pawn in the hands of the West.
Screenshot 3: Sputnik Georgia
Lavrov: I have no reason not to believe the Georgian Dream.
“I have no reason not to believe them. They cite the dialogues with the Western Countries, that directly incited them to launch military action against Russia. I have no reason not to believe them.”
After the start of the conflict in Ukraine, the government of Georgia stated several times that there is great pressure being exerted on them to engage in armed conflict against Russia.
Based on ISFED’s observations and Meta’s report, an anonymous Facebook network managed from Russia openly spread messages supporting the Georgian Dream in 2024. The quarterly report published by Meta in August 2024 noted that the pages involved in the information operation, which were managed from Russia, supported the Georgian Dream. As early as May 2024, during the protests against the Russian law, pages linked to Russia portrayed representatives of the ruling party as defenders of national interests and the traditional family, while opposition parties were portrayed as following the orders of the European Union. [40] At the same time, the network supported both the Russian law initiated by the Georgian Dream and the constitutional amendments prepared under the pretext of banning "LGBT propaganda", which were presented as a way to defend from "the encroachment of liberal values on future generations."
Screenshot 1: Programming Newearth
Family of the Prime Minister of Georgia
Family of the Prime Minister of France
Screenshot 2: Do you think it is necessary to disclose the sources of income of mass media and non-profit organizations in Georgia if they are funded by another state?
- I think we should know where the organizations get funding from
- It's up to the organization itself where it gets its funding from. It is not necessary for the society to know about this.
The Russian network supported the Georgian Dream during the pre-election period as well. Articles published on the Georgia Breaking News page noted that the party had higher rankings than the opposition and was a candidate for victory. The website also published a positive article about Bidzina Ivanishvili's statement in Gori, in which he spoke about an apology from Georgians for the restoration of Georgian-Ossetian relations. Georgia Breaking News covered infrastructure projects and various government initiatives and also focused on economic growth in the country.
Screenshot 1: Georgian Breaking News
History is cyclical. Therefore, recognizing mistakes will help prevent them in the future. What mistakes our country needs to correct, we will discuss in the article.
Screenshot 2:
Internet accessibility in Georgia
Transport news of the capital
Housing benefits for military personnel will continue
Greenhouse plant breeding is developing
Shortly before the elections, the Russian anonymous network supported the law On Family Values and Protection of Minors initiated by the Georgian Dream, presenting it as a means of "preserving traditions and breaking away from imposed norms." During the pre-election period, the same pages published interviews with supporters of the ruling team and individuals positioning as experts.
Screenshot 1: Georgia Breaking News
Right law
Preserving our traditions and breaking free from imposed norms is the primary task of our society. How we deal with this, let's discuss in the article.
Screenshot 2: Georgia Breaking News
Analyst Ghia Abashidze discusses Georgia’s domestic politics in interview with Mersi Sulkhanishvili
The Russian network expressed support for the Georgian Dream after the CEC announced the preliminary results of the October 26, 2024 parliamentary elections. The pages presented the election results as legitimate and noted that the legitimacy had been recognized by local and international observation missions. In addition, the Russian network also supported Mikheil Kavelashvili and declared him the legitimate president.
Screenshot 1:
Results have been counted.
The choice has been made. What this means for Georgia and what awaits us in the near future, we will discuss in the article.
The parliamentary elections are over. More than half of the voters - 54% - voted for the ruling party Georgian Dream. It will receive 89 mandates.
Such results were not unexpected. The results of a survey conducted the day before election day indicated that the majority of Georgians support the current government. Stability and the avoidance of direct confrontation with other states are important for the country's citizens.
Screenshot 2: Suluguni Daily
New Year with a new country. See details at the link below. I look forward to your opinions in the comments.
A pro-Kremlin source, Sputnik, also worked to legitimize the election results. After the October 26 elections, the publication published on its Telegram channel statements by foreign pro-government observers who positively assessed the election process and gave legitimacy to the elections. [41]
Screenshot: Sputnik Georgia
Foreign observers assess the ongoing election process in Georgia
Jorge Gonzalez Galarza: It was not only a very peaceful process, but also a very free and fair one. The Georgian people exercised their democratic right to vote, and this is a cause for celebration.
Beata Trochanovska: We observed many polling stations in Georgia. The elections and the voting process were held peacefully and without problems. Locally, all procedures were followed as well.
Juan Efrain Rocha: We did not see any evidence of violations, overall, the elections were conducted smoothly, without any flaws.
Candela Sol Silva: It is important that many international observers observed the elections. This adds credibility and transparency to the elections.
Fani Lachko: We saw very free and fair elections; voters did not face any obstacles.
After the start of the protests, Russian social media pages indicated that the country's European integration process had not been halted and that the Georgian people did not understand Irakli Kobakhidze's decision. The suspension of negotiations with the EU until 2028 was presented as giving Georgia sufficient time to develop economically in order to become a member of the EU.
Screenshot 1: Suluguni Daily
All that was needed was a little bit of waiting and the ice melted. Read the article for more details about what is happening in Georgia today.
Screenshot 2: Warming
This is exactly the epithet that can be used to describe the relations between Georgia and the West. The events of the past few days show that the European integration process has not stopped, and Europe is ready to discuss further steps.
Today, a telephone conversation took place between French President Emmanuel Macron and Bidzina Ivanishvili. The dialogue lasted about an hour.
This conversation, as well as the meeting between Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili and EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski, means that the EU recognizes the Georgian government as legitimate and, despite the statement of the incumbent President Salome Zourabichvili, there will be no repeat elections. So, what are they protesting? Is it necessary to continue the senseless protests? The answer is obvious! It is time to go home.
Summary
Georgia is a constant target of Russian information operations and interference, although these operations become especially active when important political events are taking place in the country. The Kremlin-backed agencies, Sputnik and NewsFront, began actively conducting anonymous information operations even before the 2020 parliamentary elections. In 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine and Georgia was awaiting the candidate status for EU membership, Russian information operations on social media intensified, although in a modified form - through anonymous pages and advertisements disguised as media outlets. Russian interference was especially active in the period leading up to the 2024 parliamentary elections, a turning point for Georgia's European and democratic development.
The tactics of Russian information operations are the same in almost all countries - to discredit the West and, at the same time, interfere in the country's domestic politics. In the run-up to the 2024 parliamentary elections, first the Russian intelligence launched an information disinformation campaign about the US's attempt to organize a color revolution in Georgia with the involvement of groups critical of the government. Then alongside the statements of high-ranking officials and official Russian sources, an anonymous campaign directed from Russia also took place. It is noteworthy that the Georgian Dream used narratives similar to the Russian ones in its information campaign. In addition, during the pre-election period, it became clear that the Russian anonymous campaign openly supported the Georgian Dream and acted against the opposition.
Russian interference in the information space is harmful to the country, especially in the run-up to elections, as it may affect making an informed choice and the will of voters. Democratic countries are working together to counter external interference and information manipulation. Against this background, the 2024 pre-election period demonstrated that not only were no steps taken in Georgia to suppress disinformation messages, but the narratives of the then ruling team and Russian actors in most cases coincided.
[1] Peskov: Russia, unlike the West, does not interfere in Georgia's internal affairs, TASS. https://tass.ru/politika/22124445
[2] 1st EEAS Report on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Threats, European Union External Action, 2023. https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2023/EEAS-DataTeam-ThreatReport-2023..pdf
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[4] 3rd EEAS Report on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Threats, European Union External Action, 2025. https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2025/EEAS-3nd-ThreatReport-March-2025-05-Digital-HD.pdf
[5] https://eu4georgia.eu/eu-enlargement/
[6] IRI: 87% of the population consider Russia the biggest political threat, Formula news, 2023. https://formulanews.ge/News/89440
[7] Meta’s Adversarial Threat Report, Second Quarter 2024. https://bit.ly/4hWByuq
[8] US Embassy in Georgia Supports Protesters Against Foreign Agent Law, TASS, 2.05.2024. https://tass.com/world/1782743
[9] US wants to open second front against Russia in Georgia - expert, TASS. 24.05.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1793239
[10] West looking to foster Ukraine-like coup in Georgia — Russian diplomat. TASS. 4.06.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1797847
[11] Statement of the State Security Service 08.05.2024. https://ssg.gov.ge/news/932/saxelmtsifo-usafrtxoebis-samsaxuris-gancxadeba
[12] Who is Patrick Hernandes, whose detention is being used to spread a conspiracy theory about the USA? Myth Detector 15.05.2024. https://mythdetector.com/en/who-is-patrick-hernandes/
[13] On US plans for Georgia. Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation. 9.07.2024. http://www.svr.gov.ru/smi/2024/07/o-planakh-ssha-v-otnoshenii-gruzii.htm
[14] Americans are preparing a "color revolution" in Georgia, Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation. 26.08.2024. http://www.svr.gov.ru/smi/2024/08/amerikantsy-gotovyat-tsvetnuyu-revolyutsiyu-v-gruzii.htm
[15] Russia wants to thwart color revolution attempts in Georgia by sharing intel — SVR chief. TASS, 27.08.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1834549
[16] OSCE/ODIHR Becomes US Accomplice in Destabilizing Georgia, Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation. 11.09.2024. http://www.svr.gov.ru/smi/2024/09/bdipch-obse-stalo-soobshchnikom-ssha-v-destabilizatsii-gruzii.htm
[17] Zakharova: ODIHR laying ground for protest rallies after Georgian Elections. TASS, 12.09.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1842373
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[19] Irakli Kobakhidze - Winning elections and organizing a revolution requires the support of the people. How can the National Movement, Gvaramia's, Khazaradze's, and Gakharia's parties have the support of the people?1TV.ge. 05.09.2024. https://1tv.ge/news/irakli-kobakhidze-archevnebis-mogebasac-da-revoluciis-mowyobasac-khalkhis-tanadgoma-schirdeba-rogor-sheidzleba-khalkhis-tanadgoma-hqondet-nacmodzraobas-gvaramias-khazaradzis-g/
[20] Speech by Honorary Chairman of the Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili, at an election rally in Zugdidi,1TV.ge, 15.10.2024. https://1tv.ge/news/qartuli-ocnebis-sapatio-tavmjdomaris-bidzina-ivanishvilis-sityvit-gamosvla-zugdidshi-saarchevno-shekhvedraze/
[21] Shalva Papuashvili: There is a group that is preparing for a coup. Our people must be vigilant and the main antidote to such non-Georgian forces is to come to the elections and convincingly defeat these non-Georgian forces. Imedinews.ge. 23.10.2024. https://imedinews.ge/ge/archevnebi-2024/358806/shalva-papuashvili-aris-jgupi-romelits-emzadeba-gadatrialebistvis-pkhizlad-unda-ikos-chveni-khalkhi-da-mtavari-antidoti-aseti-araqartuli-dzalebistvis-aris-mosvla-archevnebze--da-damajerebeli-damartskheba-am-araqartuli-dzalebis
[22] Kiev's coordinator for preparing riots arrives in Georgia — source. TASS. 25.10.2024. https://tass.com/defense/1862503
[23] Ukraine-trained snipers arrive in Georgia to stage provocations – regional source, TASS. 29.10.2024. https://tass.com/world/1863735
[24] Medvedev Accuses Zourabichvili of Provoking a Coup in Georgia. TASS. 1.11.2024. https://tass.com/world/1866047
[25] Russia stays out of Georgia's affairs unlike West — Foreign Ministry. TASS. 21.11.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1875517
[26] West attempting to stage color revolution in Georgia, Lavrov warns. TASS. 26.11.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1877523
[27] Russia hopes attempts to conduct color revolution in Georgia will fail — SVR chief. TASS. 26.11.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1877649
[28] Developments in Georgia look like attempt to stage color revolution — Kremlin. TASS. 2.12.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1880667
[29] Konstantin Kosachev - "Molotov cocktails" were thrown by demonstrators at the police after Kaia Kallas called the protest legal and the government's response illegal - the European Union's External Action Service is the instigator. TELEGRAM: Elections-2024: Changes or a liberal quagmire? 2.12.2024. https://t.me/operze/7110
[30] Georgian opposition planned to stage riots after EU refusal to begin talks – ruling party. https://tass.com/world/1879911
[31] Irakli Kobakhidze - "Nazi Maidan" cannot be held in Georgia, the main responsibility for yesterday's violent rally lies with European politicians and their local agents, the Fifth Column.30.11.2024. https://1tv.ge/news/irakli-kobakhidze-saqartveloshi-nacmaidani-ver-shedgeba-gushindel-dzaladobriv-mitingze-umtavresi-pasukhismgebloba-ekisrebat-evropel-politikosebs-da-adgilobriv-agenturas-mekhute-k/
[32] Shalva Papuashvili: They don't even come up with anything new, the arrival of a newlywed couple, decorating the Christmas tree, protest posters, etc. They follow the Maidan scenario one by one. IMEDINEWS. 9.12.2024. https://imedinews.ge/ge/politika/365666/shalva-papuashvili-akhalsats-ki-ar-igoneben-akhlad-daqortsinebuli-tskvilis-misvla-nadzvis-khis-dekorireba-saprotesto-plakatebi-da-ash-erti--ertshi-mihkvebian-maidnis-stsenars
[33] Georgian people not happy about West imposing LGBT agenda — Lavrov. TASS. 6.10.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1839477
[34] Russia to help Georgia, South Ossetia, Abkhazia with reconciliation, if need be — Lavrov. TASS. 28.09.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1849375
[35] Moscow believes Tbilisi's statements that West incited Georgia to war with Russia — Lavrov
TASS. 22.10.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1859701
[36] Russia, unlike West, does not interfere in internal processes in Georgia — Putin. TASS. 28.11.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1879395
[37] Western 'bombs' of interference falling in South Caucasus — Russian MFA. TASS. 29.11.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1879823
[38] INTERVIEW: Georgia’s people, new government lack desire to become West’s pawn — Lavrov. TASS. 30.12.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1895269
[39] Russia ready to bury the hatchet with Georgia, needs to see desire from Tbilisi — diplomat. TASS. 4.12.2024. https://tass.com/politics/1881943
[40] Russian Information Operation in Georgia supporting the Ruling Party and discrediting the EU. ISFED. 03.04.2024 https://isfed.ge/eng/sotsialuri-mediis-monitoringi/rusuli-sainformatsio-operatsia-saqartveloshi-mmartveli-partiis-sasargeblod-da-evrokavshiris-tsinaaghmdeg
[41] Sputnik Georgia 27.10.2024. https://t.me/SputnikSaqartvelo/15709