Russian "Trolls" Wreak Havoc All around the Internet

Details of a chemical disaster and an Ebola epidemic were just some of the alarming reports that turned up last year on American social media and news sites — all part of a highly sophisticated disinformation campaign originating in Russia. This Sunday's New York Times Magazine carries a story by Adrian Chen, describing an army of well-paid "trolls" in St. Petersburg, Russia — assigned to wreak havoc on the Internet all the way to America. The story begins with accounts of a chemical explosion in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana.

Special thanks to Sarah Sweeney for production assistance.