Facebook says likely Russia-based group paid for political ads during US election

• Company says it found no link to any presidential campaign
• Findings support conclusions Russia was active in shaping US election

Facebook said on Wednesday it had found that an influence operation probably based in Russia spent $100,000 on ads promoting divisive social and political messages in a two-year-period through May.

The social media network said that many of the ads promoted 470 "inauthentic" accounts and pages Facebook has now suspended. The ads spread polarizing views on topics such as immigration, race and gay rights, instead of backing a particular political candidate, it said.