“The authors of this idea have failed to reconcile in their conspiratorial mindset the existing realities with the desired fantasies to once again draw attention of the public to the alleged Russia’s intervention in the election campaign in the United States.” Mikhail Yefimovich Fradkov — RISS Director

According to former and current US officials, a Russian government Think Tank developed a plan to swing the 2016 U.S. presidential election to Donald Trump. The Russian Think Tank has issued an official statement dismissing the allegation. Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY



Three current and four former U.S. officials have seen two documents which were prepared by the Moscow-based Russian Institute for Strategic Studies. (RISS)

They claim that these two documents provide the framework and rationale for what U.S. intelligence agencies have described as an intensive effort by Russia to interfere with the November 8 election.

According to these US officials, the first document — dated June 2016 — recommended that:

“The Kremlin should launch a propaganda campaign on social media and Russian state-backed global news outlets to encourage U.S. voters to elect a president who would take a softer line toward Russia than the administration of then-President Barack Obama.”

A second institute document — drafted in October 2016 — warned that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was likely to win the election. For that reason, it argued that it was better for Russia to end its pro-Trump propaganda.

It is not known how US officials have obtained these documents. The release of the infamous “Democratic Party emails” is not mentioned in these documents.

Russian Institute for Strategic Studies (RISS)

The Russian Institute for Strategic Studies (RISS) is a major scientific-research and analytical centre established by the President of the Russian Federation.

The main task of RISS is to provide information support to the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council, the State Duma and the Security Council as well as to Government offices, ministries and departments. RISS provides expert appraisals and recommendations and prepares analytical materials for those bodies.

The current Director of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies (RISS) is Mikhail Yefimovich Fradkov.

Fradkov ( born 1 September 1950) is a Russian politician and statesman who was the Prime Minister of Russia from March 2004 to September 2007.

The institute’s previous Director was Leonid Reshetnikov retired in January 2017.

Fradkov was the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service from October 6 2007 to October 5 2016.

RISS Director M. Fradkov gives reply to Reuters’ publication

Fradkov has made a statement concerning the report published by Reuters and claiming that RISS has developed some documents that allegedly became the basis of the strategy of intervention of Russia in the elections in the United States 2016.

Following is the text of this statement:

“Yet before joining RISS, I was aware that this Institute is an authoritative analytical organization with high-skilled professionals, but certainly not for the purposes, which are now being attributed to the Institute, of performing in fact pre-prepared information operations. I have checked this out for myself once again, having joined RISS as its Director. It seems that the authors of this idea have failed to reconcile in their conspiratorial mindset the existing realities with the desired fantasies to once again draw attention of the public to the alleged Russia’s intervention in the election campaign in the United States, as the interest to this topic is being slumping. The attempt to engage Russia as a co-conspirator is faulty at its core. We could left this event without any reaction and treat this as RISS’ promotion in line with the reorganization, which the Institution is now undergoing. However, even an advertisement, if it’s is built on misinformation, is far not what I would like to record in my assets. Unfortunately, this makes us think that RISS is getting in the way to somebody. If this is true, then it’s a pity. In-depth analytical research and forecasts on current international situation, derived therefrom, today are being demanded more than ever before. We will keep doing this job in partnership with interested and responsible colleagues.”

REFERENCES

Putin-linked think tank drew up plan to sway 2016 U.S. election – documents — Reuters

Russia denies Reuters report think tank drew up plan to sway U.S. election — Reuters

RISS Director M. Fradkov gives reply to Reuters’ publication — RISS

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US Officials: Russia Think Tank plotted 2016 Election Interference