OSINT: Searching the Russian Internet (Virtual Course)
This course will give you the tools you need to make effective use of Russian-language internet and social media sources. The course begins with a general introduction to the Russian language and the Russian Internet. From there, we will demonstrate how to set up your desktop and mobile devices to support data collection, processing and translation. We will then walk you through the different strategies, tools and resources you can use to research or investigate Russian-language sources and content. We will also show you how to identify and validate Russian companies and their owners. Throughout, emphasis will be given to those aspects of Russian language and culture that you should be sensitive to as a researcher.
The course will be delivered live over five 3.5-hour sessions. There will be separate iterations of the course for Asian, European and American audiences. Please select the start time (SGT, CET or EST) that suits you best.
Course Outline
Introduction to the Russian Web
The Russian Internet Ecosystem
- Key platforms, players, and infrastructure
- Power, control, and expression in the Russian internet
The Russian Public Media
- Ownership, narratives, and control
- Influence Operations: Networks, automation, and manipulation
Searching the Russian Internet
Russian Language Toolkit
- The Russian language
- Setting up a Russian-language keyboard
- Entering and editing text in Russian
- Translation tools setup and use
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
- Audio transcription
- AI tools for working with the Russian language
Search Tools and Strategies
- Searching Google in Russian
- Searching Yandex in Russian
- Reconciling information inconsistencies in English and Russian
- Satellite imagery, location-specific searches, Russian addresses
- AI tools for online research
- Investigating web resources
People Search and Social Media
People Search
- Working with Russian names
- Finding Russian email addresses
- Investigating Russian phone numbers
- Understanding Russian personal documents
- Facial recognition and the Russian internet
Social Media Research
- Working with Russian content on Western social media platforms
- Working with Russian social media and messaging platforms
- VK ecosystem (VK, OK, Moi Mir, Max)
- Telegram
- Rutube
- Working with Russian forums
- Working with breached data
Corporate Research in Russian
Corporate Research
- Introduction to the Russian business landscape
- Corporate research methodology
- Identifying and verifying Russian companies
- Mapping a company’s online footprint
- Russian business registries and databases
- Russian company identifiers
- Verifying and researching ownership and control
- Investigating sanctioned entities
- Investigating leaked databases
Training Exercises
Exercises / Case Studies / Additional Resources
- Applying lessons learned through practical training exercises
- Additional OSINT resources for the Russian internet
Course Details
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
This course is intended for anyone conducting research on Russia, Russian-speaking countries, the CIS region, or on content in the Russian language. This includes analysts, journalists and business professionals looking to track political and economic developments relevant to the CIS region.
HOW YOU BENEFIT
On completion of this course, you will have the ability to:
- Understand the main characteristics of the Russian language
- Tackle translation and transliteration of the Russian language
- Navigate Russian online sources with greater confidence
- Find specific content in Russian (news reports, documents, etc.)
- Find people through their web and social media footprints
- Investigate companies in Russia
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
- A certificate of completion
- A full set of course slides / user guides in PDF
- Tip sheets and cheat sheets to enable rapid learning
- Six months of post-course support
COURSE FEE
CHF 1,200
COURSE PREREQUISITES
Trainees do not need prior knowledge of the Russian language; basic knowledge of the Internet suffices.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
To participate, you will need:
- A Windows, Mac or Linux-based desktop or laptop computer
- A Google / Gmail account
- Google’s Chrome Browser
- A mobile device with the Google Translate app installed
Additional requirements will be provided on registration.
