A Bugatti car, a first lady and the fake stories aimed at Americans
A network of Russia-based websites spreads fake news targeting the US election, involving a former Florida police officer in Moscow. Fake stories blend American and Ukrainian issues, using AI-generated articles and fake journalists. The operation aims to influence American voters with forged documents and videos, resembling past Kremlin-backed disinformation efforts. John Mark Dougan denies direct involvement but has ties to the websites, part of a broader disinformation campaign ahead of the US election.
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A network of Russia-based websites is spreading fake stories targeting the US election, with a former Florida police officer in Moscow playing a key role. One such story falsely claimed Ukraine's first lady bought a Bugatti with US military aid. These fake news sites use AI to generate articles, often with American-sounding names, and employ fake journalists with stolen profile pictures. The operation aims to influence American voters by blending American and Ukrainian political issues. The fake stories are supported by forged documents and fake YouTube videos. While no direct link to the Russian state has been proven, experts believe the operation mirrors past Kremlin-backed disinformation efforts. The former police officer involved, John Mark Dougan, denies direct involvement but has a history of spreading fake news and has ties to the Russia-based websites. The operation is part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at the US election, with experts warning of increased efforts to sow distrust and influence American politics.
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12 commentsThe West can push back. Here's a 2023 list of separatist movements within Russia.[1] Most of these are small and weak, but with outside support, pieces of Russia might be destabilized. St. Petersburg/Leningrad oblast has potential, because it's close to Europe. With Finland and Estonia both in NATO, access to St. Peterburg is available. The Russian military is rather busy with Ukraine, and there might not be enough troops available to quickly suppress an internal revolt.
[1] https://www.aalep.eu/major-secessionist-movements-russia
> A network of Russia-based websites masquerading as local American newspapers is pumping out fake stories as part of an AI-powered operation that is increasingly targeting the US election, a BBC investigation can reveal.
> A former Florida police officer who relocated to Moscow is one of the key figures behind it.
> It would have been a bombshell report - if it was true.
> [...]
I had to do a double take before I realised that the emphasised paragraph was referring to the following text yet-to-be-read and not to the preceding opening paragraphs.
It's quite believable, especially on a platform where you scroll mindlessly.
But if you look for the bit online, you will not find it on the official TV channel website because it never happened.
I'm used to my gov and American propaganda, but they are rarely faking the whole thing, mostly selectively presenting a certain truth or point of view.
That's new to me: completely fabricated, sophisticated facts and media.
What about the time Amiricans topple governments?
What about unnecessarily starting an war with ukrine as proxy?
News shifts the viewpoint. HN calls that whataboutism.
Americans murdered natives, destroyed world peace and talks about "west".
As an American, I wish we’d stay out of the Ukraine war. The Ukrainians have actual Nazis. And no, that isn’t “propaganda.” The Russians were wrong to invade but the Ukrainians aren’t any more righteous.
But it isn’t my problem — tens of billions of American tax dollars are going to Ukraine with no accountability. In the U.S., open borders policies have led to the rape and murder of a 12 year old girl in Houston, along with many other high profile violent murders by illegal aliens who should have been blocked from entry and deported.
Trump wanted $5 billion for a border wall — Democrats said “we can’t afford that” — and then promptly send $100 billion to Ukraine when Biden’s elected.
I am not arguing for a border wall, but it’s curious how “we can’t afford it” but found plenty of billions to support a country with whom Biden has a financial history. The profound quickness with which the left wing in the U.S. started displaying Ukrainian flags and hashtags ought to be studied. The Ukraine propaganda machine took American money and spends it to convince Americans to give more money. Astounding how clever that was.
Ukraine can’t win this war and I’m tired of paying for it. If they want to keep fighting, then they can keep funding it.
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