MOSCOW, Russia – Russia’s Foreign Ministry has called on Spain to provide evidence supporting allegations of Russian involvement in a disinformation campaign that supposedly triggered the migration crisis in the autonomous city of Ceuta, with ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stating that without concrete facts backed by figures, dates, and names, there is nothing to discuss. Zakharova emphasised that any country could find itself in such a situation as there is no confirming information, and that accusations must be based on material evidence before they can be taken seriously.
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The spokeswoman added that if no such evidence is provided, the allegations would be linked to the agenda of activities titled “Dialogue on Fake News 4.0,” while also noting that other channels exist for Spain to lodge complaints to Moscow regarding cyberattacks, including the Russian embassy in Madrid or the UN. She pointed out that Madrid did not use these channels and instead quickly went to the microphones to make statements without supporting materials.
The prime minister of Spain had suggested that Russian-linked networks, along with Israeli actors and an ultra-right international, contributed to fuelling the Ceuta migration crisis through disinformation campaigns, claiming that a Supreme Court ruling on migrant returns was distorted and that these messages were propagated on social media before being exploited by criminal organisations. Sánchez also stated that the European External Action Service had detected Russian and Israeli networks spreading these hoaxes, accusing these actors of using immigration as a weapon to attack Spain and divide Europe.
Diplomatic sources have expressed concern that the accusations could provoke a response from Putin, noting that relations with Russia are already very difficult due to Spain’s position on the war in Ukraine. The sources noted that while these external enemies of the government were already activated, the formal accusation only serves to provide more ammunition. Russia has immediately rejected any link to the events and dismissed the accusations as unfounded, with available information on European analysis indicating that while Russian disinformation activity was detected after the crisis began, there is no evidence demonstrating that Moscow encouraged the mass entry of migrants.
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The exchange highlights the growing diplomatic tensions between Spain and Russia, with the Ceuta crisis now becoming a focal point for broader geopolitical disputes and accusations of hybrid warfare. The Spanish government has not yet responded to Russia’s demand for evidence, leaving the matter unresolved.
