Cyprus shaken by corruption video involving president; authorities point to Russian disinformation
Photo: President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides (Getty Images)
Cyprus has been rocked by a scandalous video circulating on X, which alleges illegal schemes in the financing of President Nikos Christodoulides’ 2023 election campaign. The authorities have rejected the claims as false and say there may be a Russian link behind the video, according to Kathimerini.
Cypriot authorities investigating the controversial video believe it bears the hallmarks of an organized hybrid operation aimed at causing direct harm to the Republic of Cyprus.
"According to security sources, the activity bears similarities to organized Russian disinformation campaigns that have previously targeted EU member states. While Russia is considered a likely source, authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the operation originated elsewhere, using comparable methods," the newspaper writes.
Investigators also emphasized the timing of the video’s publication: it appeared shortly after Cyprus assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, 2026. Law enforcement believes the malicious activity may have been triggered by this development.
The investigation further claims the publication shows signs of Russia’s so-called "Doppelganger" campaign, coordinated online disinformation efforts ongoing since 2021 and known to have targeted countries such as France, the United States, Germany, and Israel.
"An analysis of the material indicates that the video’s editing and narration were designed to reinforce a specific corruption-related narrative, with the apparent aim of undermining the credibility and reputation of individuals and institutions," Kathimerini reports.
Scandal in Cyprus
A scandal erupted in Cyprus after a video was published alleging illegal financing of the 2023 election campaign of President Nikos Christodoulides.
Authorities described the footage as manipulated and a possible element of a disinformation operation, while the opposition has demanded an investigation. The president has rejected the allegations and called for any evidence to be handed over to law enforcement.
Cyprus began its EU Council presidency on January 1. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized Ukraine’s importance among the key priorities during the Cypriot presidency.
A day before taking over the EU Council presidency, Cyprus’s foreign minister, Konstantinos Kombos, pledged a "new approach" to negotiations on Ukraine and said the issue would be a priority.
In the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, these circumstances are seen as one of the reasons why Russian disinformation may have been deployed via the video on X alleging wrongdoing during the president’s election campaign.
