Russian networks pushing conservative meme, researchers say

WASHINGTON – Researchers say that Twitter accounts linked to Russian influence operations are pushing a conservative meme related to the investigation of Russian election interference.

The purported Russian activity involves the hashtag #ReleaseTheMemo, a reference to a secret congressional report about President Donald Trump’s allegations that he was wiretapped by the Obama administration.

A group that tracks Russian-linked social media influence campaigns says the volume of Russian-related #ReleaseTheMemo traffic represents the most co-ordinated such effort since its website launched in early August.

The Hamilton 68 dashboard tracks about 600 accounts that it says are tied to Russian-sponsored influence and disinformation campaigns; most of those accounts were promoting the same meme Friday.

The report, written by staffers at the House Intelligence Committee, remains secret because it contains classified information.

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