Russian operatives intensify attacks on Kamala Harris campaign with fake videos

In recent weeks, Russian operatives have intensified their online attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign by creating and spreading misleading videos. These videos promote outrageous conspiracy theories designed to exacerbate racial and political tensions in the United States. One video falsely depicted Harris supporters attacking a Donald Trump rally attendee, while another claimed she was responsible for a hit-and-run accident that paralyzed a young girl in 2011. Microsoft reported that these videos have garnered millions of views, highlighting the effectiveness of the disinformation campaign. The emergence of these videos followed a period of adjustment for Russian influence operations after President Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race in July. Microsoft noted that Russian actors initially struggled to find new targets but shifted their focus to the Harris-Walz campaign by late August and early September. This strategic pivot indicates an attempt to exploit perceived weaknesses in the Democratic ticket as the presidential election approaches. US intelligence agencies have warned that Russia aims to covertly manipulate social media to influence public opinion and undermine support for Ukraine in key swing states. The Kremlin's tactics have not changed significantly since previous elections, where they targeted candidates like Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. The ongoing disinformation efforts are part of a broader strategy to disrupt the electoral process and sow discord among American voters. In response to these threats, the US government has taken steps to counter Russian disinformation, including declassifying intelligence about the integration of Russian state-run media into intelligence operations. Social media platforms are also taking action, with Meta banning RT for foreign interference activities, reflecting a heightened awareness of the need to protect the integrity of the electoral process.