North Macedonia’s Security Agency moves against pro-Russian propaganda network
The Agency for National Security of North Macedonia (ANB), in coordination with other competent institutions, is continuously taking measures to detect and disrupt a propaganda network in the country that it says has a destructive and malicious agenda aimed at influencing public discourse in the interests of foreign actors.
As part of joint and coordinated activities by the ANB, the Ministry of Interior and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, investigative measures were taken on September 18, 2026, against a Macedonian national linked to foreign actors who, according to the ANB, are behind a propaganda apparatus involving a network of web portals integrated into the Macedonian media space, CE Report informs via the ANB's official website.
Based on reasonable suspicion that the individual committed the criminal offenses of “Causing National, Racial and Religious Hatred, Discord and Intolerance” under Article 319 of the Criminal Code, “Disclosure of an Official Secret” under Article 360, and “Dissemination of Racist and Xenophobic Material through a Computer System” under Article 394-g, his home was searched. Items were found and seized and are currently undergoing further forensic examination.
The ANB said the actual operators of the propaganda network, which it described as serving Russian interests, are hiding behind cloned pseudo-news portals registered under Macedonian internet domains. According to the agency, these portals are used to spread fake news and disinformation and reshape narratives about current events, undermining trust in institutions and encouraging ethnic and national hatred and intolerance.
The agency said the latest activities are a continuation of previously disrupted pro-Russian hybrid activities involving a Macedonian national linked to these propaganda networks. A criminal complaint had previously been filed against that individual for the offense of disseminating racist and xenophobic material through a computer system under Article 394-g of the Criminal Code.
The ANB said it would continue, within its mandate, to take measures to detect and prevent subversive and propaganda activities carried out through a network of portals linked to regional pro-Russian political structures, which it says directly undermine the country’s strategic Euro-integration processes.
Photo Agency for National Security of North Macedonia
