Russia might seem a world away from Australia, but the public is being warned that its ability to spread misinformation and stoke division knows no borders.
Finland is on the frontline of Russia's misinformation and disinformation campaign, sharing its eastern border with the authoritarian state.
Finland's ambassador to Australia Arto Haapea said there are lessons Australia should learn from Europe and NATO nations.
Russian misinformation aims to stoke social divisions and undermine trust in public systems and elections in the West, he said.
It also spreads misinformation domestically to prop up support for its war in Ukraine, which Finland also tries to counter with Russian-language media.
Internationally, politically and emotionally charged debates, such as the current immigration debate in Australia, act as a beacon for Moscow, he said.
"That would be straight out of Russian playbook," Mr Haapea told AAP.
"Immigration - that would be the very typical place where they start to use that divide or that debate and sow some seeds of discord in society." Australia's military support for Ukraine has also made it a target, the ambassador said.
Long-term aims would include undermining public support for the war as the public becomes fatigued and questions the government's decision to continue aiding Ukraine, he said.
There are also concerns about increasing co-operation between Russia and China.
"Collaboration....
