Inside the 77th Brigade
Uncovering the Shadows of Military Psyops and Online Influence
Foreword :
I’ve been asked many times about my identity and authenticity—questions I cannot answer right now due to ongoing criminal investigations. People also ask whether I worry about defamation or libel?
Of course, I do.
But despite my article being shared widely—across hundreds of thousands of readers on various platforms—there have been no libel suits, no defamation claims, and not even any complaints to Substack.
As for references in my articles: I understand the request, but doing so would expose confidential sources, putting both them and the integrity of my reporting at risk.
So, I’ll continue to write as I see fit, for now.
The 77th Brigade
It was a drizzly Friday morning when I met Mr. X in a quiet corner of a motorway service station. He’d requested the location to ensure that our conversation remained discreet, and the ambient noise was enough to shield our words. We sat down, ordered coffee, and began to talk.
Over our coffee, we discussed topics that most people wouldn’t consider in their daily routines. We spoke about the state of Hermitage Denison Barracks—the difficulties posed by a leaking roof, outdated infrastructure, and the struggle for staff to perform their duties amid such conditions. The stress was palpable, leading to high turnover rates and sickness among the personnel.
Mr. X was candid about the 77th Brigade, a covert unit known for its unconventional operations. The 77th is involved in a wide range of activities, from drone-based leaflet drops to stabilizing and reconstructing conflict zones worldwide. According to Mr. X, the unit’s social media operations sometimes intersect with foreign state actors, adding a layer of complexity to their already secretive work.
One of the most startling revelations was about military training courses taught in the Netherlands between 2018-2019 by Emic, a company spun off from Cambridge Analytica’s parent company, SCL. These courses focused on Behavioral Dynamics Methodology (BDM), a tactic for profiling and influencing target audiences. Mr. X explained that many individuals trained in BDM now operate in a manner similar to the 77th Brigade.
Online Narrative Warfare
The 77th, in collaboration with the Cabinet Office’s Rapid Response Unit, has worked to combat harmful online narratives. This task is often undertaken by "scientific ambassadors" who are briefed with key messaging. But as I dug deeper into the ethics of these operations, Mr. X hesitated. When asked about the moral framework the 77th follows, he was silent for a moment before stating, "Sometimes, innovation is required." He further admitted that military personnel often struggle to operate within the bounds of the law—one reason for the high turnover in the unit.
This conversation quickly shifted to a topic I was eager to explore: the "mutton crew" and their involvement in online influence operations. I showed Mr. X a video by Jon Sheller—a self-proclaimed cesspit dweller known for his controversial content. "Is this the kind of video the 77th Brigade would produce?" I asked. His response was immediate: "NO!"
Mr. X then pointed out that Sheller’s channel, which only had two videos, seemed designed for a very specific audience. When I showed him another video, this time from Rebecca Butler—a barrister affiliated with the so-called "mutton crew"—Mr. X’s tone shifted. He called it a “classic psyop,” noting that such videos are not meant for general public consumption but are targeted toward a specific group.
“They always come in threes,” he added with a chuckle, before turning more serious. “These videos are designed to sow sentiment, especially among viewers already interested in this specific subject matter."
I then showed him discussions on X (formerly Twitter) and in Telegram, where Jon Sheller appeared to be interacting with accounts linked to the mutton crew. Mr. X confirmed that Sheller seemed to be dramatizing the issue, engaging in odd and exaggerated responses. "No true opponents would respond like this," he remarked, shaking his head.
He continued, “I wonder what they’re getting from this—this desperate, chaotic narrative-peddling?”
A Growing Web of Influence
The conversation soon turned to the larger narrative being pushed by figures like Jon Sheller and Rebecca Butler. Why weren’t they turning to traditional media, like the BBC, to discredit individuals? I pointed to a recent article about Steven Bartlett, who had been targeted by the BBC for allegedly spreading health misinformation.
Mr. X raised an eyebrow when I mentioned the number of followers the victim had on social media—quarter of a million. “Ahh,” he said, as if suddenly seeing the bigger picture.
Despite the growing influence of these individuals, Mr. X was resolute in his stance. He believed that while the tactics used by the mutton crew resembled those employed by the 77th Brigade, 2 coy would not engage in criminal activities or take such a direct approach. "Their methods are more subtle," he noted, "not this blatant."
Then, in an abrupt turn, Mr. X offered his final analysis: "The mutton crew is not military. It's a third-party organization with pharmaceutical and financial interests. Their operatives may have been trained in BDM, but they are not military personnel."
I couldn’t help but agree.
After a brief silence, we finished our coffee. We spoke for a while longer, the grey skies overhead matching the weight of the conversation. When I left, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the complexities of the mutton crew and the 77th Brigade along with the shadowy world of influence were far from over—and this narrative was still unfolding.
Final Thoughts
As I walked away, I was left with more questions than answers, and a deeper understanding of the murky world where military operations, social media influence, and private interests collide.
Whatever happens next, it seems clear that the lines between these forces will only continue to blur.
If you’d like to learn more about the individuals behind the mutton crew organization, please refer to my previous article.