By Siranush Adamyan
An investigation by Armenian outlet Factor TV has raised questions about the authenticity of alleged leaked Russian intelligence documents published by a website known as The Caucasus Chronicles. It also highlighted the role Armenian Telegram channels and media outlets have played in amplifying the claims ahead of Armenia’s 2026 parliamentary elections.
The Russian-language website published an article on Monday claiming it had obtained secret Russian intelligence documents related to possible efforts to influence Armenia’s political processes and elections. According to the site, the documents came from a hacked mobile phone owned by an active Russian intelligence officer.
Factor revealed the website did not provide independently verifiable evidence proving the authenticity of the alleged leaks. The outlet noted that the published materials lacked features typically associated with genuine document leaks, including metadata, official markings, or complete documents that could be independently verified.
The published materials included alleged political scenarios involving Armenian opposition figures and businesspeople ahead of the June 7 elections. One document reportedly discussed forming a new political center around billionaire Samvel Karapetyan and opposition politician Andranik Tevanyan, while another outlined information campaign concepts and listed media outlets described as “public opinion leaders.”
Moreover, the website listed two authors, Teimur Mamedov and Tatyana Ivanova, but AI detection tools suggested the identities were not real.
According to the investigation, the website was created in May 2025. Ownership information was hidden, and no identifiable individual or organization was listed as responsible for the platform. Factor said the site initially operated through a server located in Lithuania before moving behind Cloudflare infrastructure, which obscures server information.
The report also mentioned that an influential Russian-language Telegram channel known as Bagramyan 26 played a significant role in promoting the platform’s content in Armenia. The investigation found that the channel started sharing the website’s posts within days of its launch and had reposted or referenced it hundreds of times over the past year.
The report added that several other Armenian publications, including 1in.am, Radar.am, PressTV.am, AuroraNews, Civic.am, Armtimes.am and Azg.am, republished the claims. Armenia’s Public Television also prepared a report based on the publication, according to Factor.
On Tuesday, the site published another article targeting Hayk Marutyan, a former mayor of Yerevan who is running for prime minister. The report alleged that Russia-based businessman Artur Soghomonyan had secretly financed Marutyan’s campaign. Factor said no independently verifiable evidence was provided for those claims either.
Lori TV, one of the outlets allegedly described in the leaked materials as being under Russian influence, denied the accusations. Its director Narine Avetisyan told Factor that the channel mainly produces local news rather than political content and that the anonymous Russian-language website had provided no transparency regarding its ownership or editorial operations.
Factor has concluded that the identity of the site’s authors remains unverified, the authenticity of the alleged leaked documents lacks independent confirmation, and the claims should not be treated as facts without further verification.
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