Mastodawn

If you have any questions on this report, please write to us at [email protected].

Read our full #investigation on our website 🔗 https://checkfirst.network/unveiling-grus-information-operations-troops-with-osint-and-medals/
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Check First Feb 9

Our visuals below provide you a first glance at our findings, with examples of units featuring a comprehensive description.

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Check First Feb 9

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀:
🏅 We have gathered 118 photos from specialised websites and forums.
🗺️ Thanks to them, we have concluded that the VIO is composed of at least 15 units across Russia.
🔎 These units are divided into three specialities: encryption/cryptoanalysis, computer network operations (CNO), and psychological operations.

Check First Feb 9

🔴 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧
Last year, we were able to unearth the infrastructure of the FSB's 16th Centre, combining #OSINT techniques and photos of old medals found on specialised websites. We replicated this method to explore the Information Operations Troops ( #VIO) of #Russia’s military intelligence service, better known by the acronym #GRU. While some units were already well‑documented, others have been scarcely recorded — or not at all — in open sources.

Check First Dec 22

🔍 As a company dedicated to analysing online harms, we strive to adopt the highest safety standards and abide by industry norms, especially when dealing with illegal and sensitive material pertaining to children. This is why we are proud to announce that we've joined Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)'s membership!

Check First Oct 27

👋 On October 15 and 16, we attended #Disinfo2025, the EU DisinfoLab's annual conference. This year, over 600 participants gathered in Ljubljana, Slovenia, for two days of discussions centered around many aspects of #disinformation.

Check First Oct 8

Next week, we'll be heading to Ljubljana to attend @DisinfoEU's #Disinfo2025!

Shivika Sharma, our senior manager specialising in digital threats and policy, will present our RADAR framework during the “Turning data into evidence” roundtable on 16 October. The panel will explore ways to improve the quality of our findings on regulatory enforcement to ensure they can serve as evidence for future enforcement mechanisms.