Russian propaganda tactics
Pro-Russian propagandists have escalated their efforts to discredit the upcoming Paris Summer Olympics and weaken Western support for Ukraine, according to private experts and Western officials. These tactics include using AI to impersonate Tom Cruise’s voice in a fake documentary criticizing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and placing coffins near the Eiffel Tower with inscriptions related to the Ukraine war.
Impersonation and misinformation
Microsoft analysts revealed that the fake documentary, which appeared on Telegram, used the Netflix logo and a fake New York Times review to seem credible. This video marks the beginning of a broader campaign by Russian propagandists to tarnish the Paris Olympics. The campaign also includes fake news stories about Parisians buying property insurance due to terrorism fears and fabricated press releases from the CIA and French intelligence.
Not all activities have been confined to the internet. French police discovered five coffins near the Eiffel Tower, labeled “French soldiers in Ukraine,” which officials suspect is a Russian effort. French President Emmanuel Macron’s potential troop deployment to Ukraine has further agitated the Russian government.
Digital manipulation and deepfakes
Pro-Russia social media accounts have circulated a doctored video of US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller discussing Ukraine’s use of US-made weapons. Experts identified the video as manipulated using AI, raising concerns about AI’s role in foreign disinformation campaigns. Hany Farid, a digital forensics expert, found evidence of AI-created voices and altered lip movements in the video.
Russian hostility toward the IOC is longstanding, with Russian athletes facing restrictions due to the country’s doping scandals. Russia’s GRU military intelligence previously launched a cyberattack during the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. Security experts warn of potential cyber threats to the Paris Olympics, emphasizing that any attack would aim to undermine French prestige and the event’s solidarity.
Ongoing vigilance
As the Paris Olympics approach, officials remain alert to potential Russian cyberattacks and misinformation campaigns. The geopolitical tension underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and accurate information dissemination to safeguard the integrity of the Games and international solidarity.