Russia’s disinformation machine has pivoted its focus towards Vice President Kamala Harris, leveraging fake videos and misleading content to harm her political campaign. According to a recent report published by Microsoft on Tuesday, Russian-backed groups have been actively producing and disseminating false narratives about Harris on various platforms, including X (formerly known as Twitter), Telegram, and a slew of fabricated news sites.
Microsoft’s Findings on Russian Disinformation
Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Center (MTAC), led by Clint Watts, revealed that two specific Russian groups were responsible for the widespread distribution of fake videos that targeted Harris. These videos, one portraying Harris in a hit-and-run accident and another depicting her supporters attacking a Trump fan, have garnered millions of views across social media platforms.
The video of the hit-and-run, in particular, gained significant traction through a phony San Francisco media outlet that had been created just days before the content was shared. It was a deliberate attempt to smear Harris, portraying her in a criminal light.
Russian Group “Storm-1679” Involvement
One of the main players behind this wave of disinformation is “Storm-1679,” a group reportedly aligned with the Kremlin. Watts noted that this group had recently shifted its focus from producing content about the 2024 Paris Olympic Games to targeting Harris.
Storm-1679 released a fake video showing a fabricated New York City billboard that falsely depicted Harris’ policies. Within just four hours of being shared on X, after initially being posted on Telegram, the video received over 100,000 views, proving the power and reach of this disinformation campaign.
Disinformation as Part of a Larger Election Influence Campaign
Russia’s actions are not isolated. They form part of a broader, global effort to influence elections in foreign countries, particularly the United States. Watts highlighted that other countries, such as Iran and China, have also been implicated in cyberattacks and disinformation aimed at influencing the upcoming elections.
Iran, for instance, has reportedly attempted cyberattacks on members of both U.S. presidential campaigns, while Chinese-linked actors have produced short videos criticizing both President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Interestingly, some of these Chinese accounts pose as conservative U.S. voters supporting Trump, while others release anti-Trump content.
Fake Content Stokes Division
China’s involvement in disinformation campaigns has also taken a dark turn, especially following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. After this event, Chinese accounts were observed spreading false claims attempting to link Democratic officials to the assassination attempt. This content was shared across numerous platforms in a bid to stoke political tensions and deepen resentment among voters.
Russia’s Three-Phase Election Interference
Microsoft’s Tuesday report draws attention to a familiar pattern seen in Russia’s influence operations. For the past three presidential election cycles, Russian-backed groups have synchronized their disinformation efforts in the months leading up to the U.S. elections, specifically targeting Democratic candidates.
One particular example is the video portraying Harris involved in a hit-and-run accident. This video, while quickly flagged as fake on social media, continued to circulate. Russian operatives used an actor to falsely claim that Harris paralyzed a young girl in a 2011 car accident, a fabrication intended to smear her character.
The Role of Russian Proxies in Spreading Misinformation
Microsoft’s report goes into detail about the role of Russian proxies in amplifying disinformation. One such proxy, named “Volga Flood,” operates several social media accounts masquerading as grassroots military bloggers. These accounts specialize in spreading both real and fake videos aimed at criticizing Harris’ policies or exaggerating her political positions.
“Volga Flood” has a direct connection to Russia’s Ministry of Defense and was reportedly aligned with Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Patriot Media Group, which has played a significant role in Russian state-backed disinformation efforts. The group uses advanced AI techniques to scale their operations, far beyond what would normally be possible for such a small team.
Amplifying Content with Hack-and-Leak Tactics
Volga Flood isn’t the only disinformation group involved. Microsoft’s report names other Russian disinformation outfits, including “Ruza Flood.” Both groups have connections to organizations recently sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Justice. These groups have been responsible for pushing Russian-promoted content on platforms like YouTube, leading to bans and account suspensions.
Despite these measures, Microsoft warns that these actors are continually trying to rebuild their infrastructure. For instance, after a series of takedowns, one of these Russian groups quickly shifted its media outlets to newly created websites.
Volga Flood’s Involvement in UK Race Riots
Aside from their focus on U.S. politics, Russian groups like Volga Flood have been involved in spreading disinformation on other global issues. One example is their role in amplifying both real and fake videos tied to race riots in the United Kingdom. Their aim is clear: to deepen divisions and create chaos within democratic nations.
How Disinformation Affects U.S. Elections
Disinformation campaigns like the one targeting Kamala Harris are designed to disrupt the democratic process, influence voter perceptions, and stir up political instability. By disseminating fabricated content on social media and other platforms, these campaigns can confuse voters and sway public opinion against a particular candidate or party.
These operations are often sophisticated, using AI-generated content, fabricated news sites, and false personas to make the disinformation appear legitimate. The fake videos targeting Harris are just one example of the broader strategy to manipulate elections and undermine trust in democratic institutions.
Tech Companies’ Response to Disinformation
To combat this, tech giants like Microsoft, YouTube, and other social media platforms have ramped up efforts to identify and remove content connected to Russian disinformation campaigns. However, as fast as accounts are suspended or taken down, new ones emerge. This cat-and-mouse game is likely to continue as long as there is a political incentive for foreign actors to interfere in U.S. elections.
Microsoft’s report also highlighted that they had suspended over 20 active email accounts created by ANO Dialog, a Russian entity tied to disinformation campaigns. Yet, the threat actors involved are constantly trying to rebuild, shifting to new domains and creating fresh content to continue their operations.
The Ongoing Threat of Disinformation
The Russian disinformation campaign against Kamala Harris is a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by foreign entities to meddle in U.S. elections. As technology evolves, so do the tactics used by these disinformation groups, making it crucial for tech companies and governments to remain vigilant in combating false narratives and protecting democratic processes.
While efforts to expose and shut down these operations are ongoing, the challenge remains. Russia, China, and other actors are becoming more sophisticated in their approaches, utilizing AI, fake personas, and complex networks of proxies to manipulate the political landscape. The fight against disinformation is far from over, and it requires a coordinated effort to preserve the integrity of elections.
FAQs
1. What is the aim of Russia’s disinformation campaign against Kamala Harris?
The goal is to damage Harris’ campaign by spreading false and harmful videos to sway public opinion against her.
2. How do these disinformation campaigns spread?
They use social media platforms like X and Telegram, as well as fake news sites, to share content that appears legitimate but is entirely fabricated.
3. What role do tech companies play in combating disinformation?
Companies like Microsoft and YouTube work to identify and remove fake accounts and content, though the disinformation actors constantly create new infrastructure.
4. Who are the groups behind the disinformation campaign?
Russian-backed groups such as Storm-1679 and Volga Flood are involved, as well as other proxies connected to the Russian government.
5. Is Russia the only country involved in these disinformation efforts?
No, other countries like Iran and China have also been implicated in disinformation and cyberattack efforts to influence U.S. elections.
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