Russia accused of covert campaign to influence Armenia election

Russian President Vladimir Putin has openly criticized Pashinyan’s pivot.

Western intelligence officials say Russia has intensified covert operations to undermine Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s re-election bid, fearing his victory could cement the country’s shift toward the West.

According to five officials and internal documents, Moscow’s plans ahead of the June 7 vote include disinformation campaigns supporting pro-Russian candidates and a scheme to transport tens of thousands of Russian-Armenians to cast ballots. Armenia, a landlocked nation of 3 million, has historically remained in Russia’s orbit and hosts Russian troops. But Pashinyan has moved closer to Europe and NATO, drawing support from U.S. President Donald Trump, who endorsed his re-election this week.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Yerevan days earlier, signing a minerals deal and an agreement for the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, a proposed transport corridor through Armenia that could further reduce Russian influence. Armenia suspended its participation in Moscow’s regional security alliance in 2024 and recently hosted NATO’s chief at a European summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has openly criticized Pashinyan’s pivot. Moscow warned Armenia could lose access to cheap natural gas and restricted imports of Armenian fruit, vegetables, flowers and brandy. “What Pashinyan is trying to do is a threat to Russia,” said Thomas de Waal, senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, noting that diversification would end Russia’s near monopoly in Armenia.

Western officials identified Moscow’s preferred candidate as Samvel Karapetyan, a billionaire currently on trial for allegedly calling for the government’s overthrow. Karapetyan, who holds Armenian-Russian citizenship, denies the charges. His lawyer, Robert Amsterdam, said his client had no knowledge of Russian backing.

Europe has repeatedly accused Russia of election meddling, most recently in Moldova and Hungary. Russia counters that the EU and the United States interfere in neighboring states to pull them into the Western sphere. In response to questions, Russia’s foreign ministry dismissed the allegations as false and accused Western media of promoting “anti-Russian rhetoric.”

Armenia’s government declined to comment on the specific claims but said it is implementing measures to combat disinformation and ensure free and fair elections. Four sources said the Kremlin created a department last October, the Directorate for Strategic Cooperation and Partnership, to oversee influence operations in Armenia.

The allegations highlight the stakes of Armenia’s election, which could determine whether the country continues its realignment with the West or remains tied to Moscow’s orbit.