Russian media report a sharp increase in subscribers with empty accounts in their Telegram channels, raising suspicions of artificial inflation related to the upcoming State Duma elections.

Russian media report a sharp increase in subscribers with empty accounts in their Telegram channels, raising suspicions of artificial inflation related to the upcoming State Duma elections.

@meduzalive 14 Sep 2026, 13:43

Media outlets have reported a mass bot inflation in Telegram affecting publications such as "Dozhd" and "Novaya Gazeta," which may lead to channel blockages due to mass complaints.

@ostorozhno_novosti 14 Sep 2026, 12:39

Boris Nadezhdin and the publications ASTRA, 'Dozhd', and 'Important Stories' reported on mass bot manipulation in their Telegram channels, which may be linked to the elections in Russia.

@ovdinfolive 14 Sep 2026, 11:22