Russian military created an 'information operations force'
The Russian armed forces have created an information operations force, which will be tasked in counter-propaganda, Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu said, speaking on Wednesday in the Russian State Duma, as reported by Interfax.
“An information operations force has been established that is more efficient and stronger,” Shoygu said, responding to a question about the need to recreate the administration, which would be engaged in counter-propaganda.
"Propaganda must be smart, competent and effective," said Shoygu.
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin first stated the need for the Russian Army Cyber Command in March 2012.
In 2013, Interfax wrote, citing an anonymous source, that the Armed Forces Cyber Command would be created to deal with virtual threats. According to the source, Cyber Command should have been created in 2014 as a new service branch.
Until recently, the Russian parliament denied reports that the country had a cyber force.
At the same time on Wednesday on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website a section was opened where supposedly the Russian foreign ministry will expose fake news about Russia.