Russian Deepfake Campaign Targets US Midterms with Celebrity Disinformation

• •Russian deepfake videos depict celebrities attacking Democrats ahead of US midterms.
• •The campaign uses stolen footage and voice-cloning technology, misusing CNN's branding.
• •Experts warn of escalating disinformation efforts targeting key US races.

A Russian disinformation campaign has launched deepfake videos featuring celebrities attacking the Democratic Party ahead of the US midterm elections. The videos, which spread on social media with hashtags like '#AllDemocratsAreCriminals,' include manipulated statements from actors such as Alyson Hannigan and Sarah Jessica Parker. These clips were created using stolen footage and voice-cloning technology, often misusing CNN's branding. Disinformation experts attribute the campaign to Matryoshka, a Kremlin operation known for similar tactics in European elections. The campaign is expected to escalate as the midterms approach, with additional fabricated content already identified. French prosecutors are also investigating Russian deepfakes targeting candidates in their presidential elections. While platforms like X, Bluesky, and TikTok have removed some of the posts, the impact on US elections remains a concern.