Exclusive: Imported voters, fake websites: Russia's covert efforts to stop Armenia's pivot West

Russia has intensified covert efforts to derail Armenia's bid to move closer to the West, aiming to influence the June 7 election. Western intelligence and government officials described a multipronged approach, including disinformation campaigns favoring pro-Russian candidates and a bold plan to move tens of thousands of Russian-Armenians into Armenia to sway the vote. Armenia, a landlocked nation of about three million, has long been in Moscow's orbit but has edged closer to Europe and NATO, hosting NATO leaders this month and receiving high-level visits from Washington. Moscow views Pashinyan's pro-Western tilt as a threat to its influence in the Caucasus.

Western officials identified Samvel Karapetyan, an Armenian-Russian businessman, as Moscow's preferred challenger, though he denies any Russian backing. They caution the plan could involve public influence and economic pressure, including risks to cheap gas and Armenian imports. Karapetyan's lawyer says the charges are unfounded, while his campaign insists that he operates independently. Armenia says it is countering disinformation and ensuring a free election, even as Russia seeks to preserve influence through covert means. The Kremlin formed a Directorate for Strategic Cooperation and Partner in October to coordinate such efforts.