So according to ex-WG Staff, Wargaming launched several campaigns against Gaijin and War Thunder, especially after the failure of World of Warplanes.
Is this a scandal?, kinda, might damage WG image for a bit yes.
Is this surprising?, nope. I believe this is normal in competition in pretty much all stages, from you and your best friend to the US and China, I don't know. It's capitalism, amigo.