Russian Embassy in North Macedonia rejects ANB accusations of propaganda network

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in North Macedonia has publicly rejected accusations by the Agency for National Security (ANB) that a propaganda network operating in the country serves Russian interests, and says it has not received a reply to a diplomatic note seeking clarifications.

The embassy says it contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade immediately after the ANB announcement and requested a meeting between the Russian ambassador and the leadership of the ministry and the ANB to discuss the allegations.

“Unfortunately, to date not only has the meeting not been held, but no response has been received to the embassy’s diplomatic note,” the mission wrote in its reaction.

Embassy rejects 'pro‑Russian' label

The diplomatic mission firmly denies any Russian involvement in spreading propaganda materials and disputes the characterization of the activities under investigation as "pro‑Russian hybrid activities."

“We categorically reject the unfounded accusations against our country for spreading propaganda materials which, as stated in the ANB statement, were intended to ‘undermine trust in institutions’ and ‘to incite ethnic and national hatred and intolerance,’” the embassy said.

In its statement the embassy also suggested that the accusations against Russia appear to be an attempt to shift responsibility for problems in North Macedonia’s relations with some of its potential partners in the European Union, and reiterated that it expects official clarifications from Macedonian authorities.

The ANB, in a statement published on October 1, said it discovered a network of pseudo‑portals used to spread disinformation, undermine confidence in institutions and foment ethnic and national intolerance. The agency added that, on September 18, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office, investigative actions were carried out against a Macedonian citizen suspected of links to foreign actors and the propaganda network.

According to the ANB, items taken during a search of the suspect’s home will undergo further forensic examination, and the investigation concerns suspicions of inciting national, racial and religious hatred, disclosure of official secrets and dissemination of racist and xenophobic material via a computer system. The agency said the network used cloned portals with Macedonian internet domains connected to regional pro‑Russian political structures, and that the activity aimed to spread disinformation and weaken the country’s EU integration processes.

Photo: press material from the event