Russian influence
Bear's global reach
Russian influence refers to efforts by the Russian government to shape political outcomes, public opinion, or policy in other countries.
The term gained prominence after the 2016 U.S. presidential election, when intelligence agencies concluded Russia had conducted operations to affect the result.
It typically encompasses disinformation campaigns, social media manipulation, cyberattacks, and covert financial support for sympathetic politicians or movements: The investigation focused on possible Russian influence in the campaign.
The phrase often carries connotations of illegitimacy or interference, though influence operations between nations are hardly unique to Russia.
- cyber espionageComputer-based intelligence gathering
- territorial disputesConflicts over land ownership
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- authoritarianismConcentrated, unchecked governmental power
- troll farmsOrganized disinformation operations online
proxy wars · Wagner Group · election interference · Russian literature · oligarchs · military alliances · Soviet legacy · state-controlled media · ballet · soft power · Orthodox Christianity · oil pipelines · folklore · propaganda campaigns · sanctions · disinformation campaigns · Soviet · KGB
Russian influenceAmerican influence
U.S. impact abroad
Western influence · Chinese influence · British influence · French influence
Russian influencenational sovereignty
State's ultimate governing power
self-determination · independence · national independence · autonomy · self-governance