The Oligarch Web

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Our latest Narativ podcast, "The Oligarch Web," reveals the shocking connections between social media giants, Russian oligarchs, and organized crime. Focusing on Telegram founder Pavel Durov's recent arrest, this investigation reveals a complex web of influence that threatens the integrity of our digital public square.

As we delve into the murky world of crypto payments, encrypted chats, and billionaire tech moguls, we're reminded of our groundbreaking 2017 investigation that exposed how Facebook helped elect Donald Trump in 2016.

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Unraveling The Oligarch Web Since 2017

Back in 2017, Narativ was at the forefront of uncovering how Russian influence operations leveraged Facebook to sway the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Our reporting revealed that the Kremlin began supporting Donald Trump on Facebook as early as June 2015, when he announced his White House bid.

We exposed how Russian-created communities like "SecureBorders" amplified Trump's divisive messages and how Russian oligarch Evgeny Prigozhin funded a digital propaganda machine that served up fake news and memes to American voters. Our investigation raised crucial questions about potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian propaganda efforts, mainly focusing on the role of Brad Parscale and his digital media campaign.

The Threat Evolves

In 2024, our latest investigation shows that the threat has not diminished – it has evolved. From Facebook to Telegram, from Trump to Durov, the story of social media's compromise by foreign interests and criminal elements continues to unfold.

In "The Oligarch Web," we reveal:

1. Pavel Durov's frequent trips to Russia contradict his exile narrative

2. Telegram's hidden connections to Russian money through its payment system

3. The platform's role in facilitating organized crime

4. Similar patterns of Russian influence in other major platforms like Facebook and Twitter (now X)

Watch Now

Don't miss this crucial update on how social media platforms continue to be weaponized against democracy. Our new podcast episode, "The Oligarch Web," is available now on all major podcast platforms.

As we said in 2017, it remains true today: If investigators can find cooperation between these platforms and foreign interests, it could be the most conclusive proof of a conspiracy to influence elections yet.

Stay informed. Stay vigilant. Listen to Narativ. Audio podcast below: