A leading pro-Russian propagandist has recently been unmasked as a US navy veteran and tropical fish seller. Sarah Bils, 37, allegedly used the alter ego “Donbas Devushka” to spread Kremlin propaganda online for months. She is said to be a former navy aviation electronics technician from New Jersey.
Ms. Bils was exposed by the North Atlantic Fella Organisation, a group dedicated to raising funds for Ukraine and combating disinformation. Donbas Devushka gained popularity on Twitter and YouTube after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. She amassed 135,000 subscribers to her podcast, where she reportedly used a fake Russian accent to further her propaganda efforts.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Donbas Devushka Telegram account played a significant role in disseminating intelligence documents allegedly leaked by Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old national guardsman. These documents were reposted on various obscure online chat rooms, contributing to the spread of misinformation.
Despite her involvement in the network, Ms. Bils denied any personal connection to the leaked classified materials. She emphasized that she understood the seriousness of handling such documents and claimed innocence in their dissemination.
Interestingly, Ms. Bils‘ love for tropical fish inadvertently led to her true identity being revealed. Experts from NAFO recognized her voice and home decor from an appearance on an aquarium podcast in 2020. When interviewed at her home, she admitted to being the administrator of the Donbas Devushka accounts and the host of the associated podcasts. However, she declined to disclose the identities of the other individuals involved in running the network.
The unmasking of Sarah Bils as the pro-Russian propagandist behind Donbas Devushka sheds light on the intricate web of disinformation campaigns that operate online. It serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying sources and being vigilant against the spread of false information. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial to remain critical and discerning when consuming content online.
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