Russian President Vladimir Putin receives Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the Kremlin: The next parliamentary elections in the Caucasus republic are scheduled for June.Image: keystone
In a month, Armenia will elect a new parliament. New research shows: Putin is trying to influence the election outcome.
May 11, 2026, 04:26May 11, 2026, 04:26
Tobias Schibilla / t-online
The small country of Armenia has moved ever closer to the West in recent years. For example, the summit of the European Political Community took place for the first time in the capital Yerevan last week. This means that the Caucasus republic is increasingly moving away from the former protecting power, Russia.
This circumstance is likely to annoy Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin – and could lead to Moscow attempting to interfere in Armenian domestic politics. There is evidence of this in a previously secret document reported by the Swedish magazine “Blankspot”. The paper, entitled “Program for work in the anti-Pashinyan direction for 2026,” describes measures to reduce support for the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
For example, Russia is planning to expand pro-Russian content on social networks such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. The reach of corresponding content should increase from around one million to up to three million views per day.
Armenia demands support from the EU
According to the report, there are also plans to significantly increase the number of anti-government opinion leaders online. Individual opposition candidates should therefore be supported in their online presence. The paper also mentions so-called “false flag” campaigns on social media as well as coordinated comment campaigns against members of the ruling “Civil Contract” party.
The Armenian government had already requested support from the European Union against possible Russian influence at the end of 2025. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas explained according to “Blankspot” that the same networks that were previously active in Moldova are now also working in Armenia.
Data set probably stolen through hack
In April, the Facebook company Meta said it deleted around 70 fake accounts and pages in Armenia. In addition, cybersecurity experts recently referred to suspected phishing attacks from Russia.
The “Victory Day” parade in the Armenian capital Yerevan: The country in the Caucasus is moving further and further away from Russia.Image: imago / alexander patrin
Swedish security expert Patrik Oksanen told the magazine that the document fits well-known patterns of Russian influence operations. The aim is less classic propaganda and more to promote mistrust, polarization and political resignation.
“Blankspot” writes that the explosive document is part of a data set that was secured in a hacker attack on a person close to the Russian secret services. The man is said to have taken part in political events in Armenia and has repeatedly spoken out publicly against the country’s rapprochement with the West.
Prime Minister is under pressure
In the June election, Pashinyan’s “Civil Contract” party will be running against, among others, the new “Strong Armenia” party of the Russian-Armenian entrepreneur Samvel Karapetyan. Surveys currently see the governing party still ahead.
However, Pashinyan is under pressure domestically. After Azerbaijan’s offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, more than 100,000 Armenians were forced to flee the region. Critics also accuse the government of only partially implementing announced reforms since the change of power in 2018.
On May 7, Pashinyan announced that he would not take part in the Russian “Victory Day” celebrations in Moscow.