Law enforcement officers exposed a bot farm in Ternopil that spread false information and pro-Russian narratives. The National Police in the Ternopil region reported this.
According to the investigation, the resident of Ternopil used about 30,000 SIM cards to create fake accounts on social networks. During the search, these SIM cards were seized, as well as 29 GSM gateways and computer equipment that supported the round-the-clock operation of the hardware and software complex.
"From fake accounts in social networks, false information and illegal content were distributed, including on web resources prohibited on Ukraine's territory. In particular, the posts and comments contained pro-Kremlin narratives, justifications for the occupation of Ukrainian territories, war propaganda, and discredited defenders of Ukraine or representatives of the authorities," the police said in a statement.
Currently, the investigation is ongoing. Criminal proceedings have been initiated under Part 3 of Article 361 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (unauthorized interference with the operation of information (automated), information and communication systems, and digital communication networks). The sanction of the article provides up to 8 years of imprisonment.