Pro-Russian propagandists are reportedly intensifying their efforts to discredit the upcoming Paris Summer Olympics and weaken Western support for Ukraine.
What Happened: Sources revealed that the campaign includes using AI to mimic actor Tom Cruise‘s voice in a fake documentary criticizing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and placing coffins near the Eiffel Tower, CNN reported on Monday. The IOC has limited Russian athletes’ participation due to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Analysts at Microsoft reported that the fake Cruise documentary, shared on Telegram last year, marked the beginning of an extensive Russian propaganda campaign against the Paris Olympics. The video used the Netflix logo and a fake New York Times review to appear credible.
French police found five coffins draped in the French flag near the Eiffel Tower on Saturday, with inscriptions referencing French soldiers in Ukraine. A French military official suspects Russian involvement, and police are questioning three men.
Pro-Russia social media accounts have also circulated a doctored video of U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller discussing Ukraine’s use of US-made weapons. The video appears to be AI-manipulated, according to digital forensic expert Hany Farid.
Russian antagonism toward the IOC has been ongoing, with past restrictions on Russian athletes due to alleged doping and cyberattacks on previous Olympic events. Officials are preparing for potential threats during the Paris Olympics next month.
Why It Matters: This propaganda campaign is not an isolated incident but part of a broader strategy by Russia to influence global perceptions and undermine Western unity. French President Emmanuel Macron has been vocal about his stance on Russia’s participation in the Olympics. In September, Macron stated that the Russian flag should not be present at the 2024 Paris Games due to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. He emphasized that Russia, as a nation, is unwelcome at the event because of its wartime actions, including war crimes and child deportations.
In May, Macron criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for rejecting a truce proposal with Ukraine during the Olympics. Macron highlighted that Putin’s refusal to consider peace underscores his commitment to continuing the conflict.
Additionally, the case of Brittney Griner, a WNBA All-Star who spent 10 months in a Russian prison before being released in a prisoner exchange, adds another layer to the strained relations. Griner was not selected for the U.S. Women’s Olympic Qualifying Roster, further highlighting the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Russia.
Image Via Shutterstock By DFree
This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Comments
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.
