Russia is employing a sophisticated disinformation campaign to discredit the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, according to a report from Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Center. Banned from participating in the Games over its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has resorted to spreading fears of terrorism to deter attendance.
The campaign utilizes AI-generated impersonations, fake news stories, and videos, including a spoof documentary titled “Olympics Has Fallen,” which falsely features Hollywood star Tom Cruise. The documentary, released on Telegram, uses an AI-generated voice of Cruise criticizing the International Olympic Committee’s leadership. It also features fabricated five-star reviews from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the BBC.
Recent false claims propagated by pro-Kremlin websites include Parisians buying property insurance in anticipation of terrorist attacks and reports that 24% of purchased Olympic event tickets had been returned due to safety concerns. Additionally, spoof CIA press releases have warned people to stay away from the Games.
Microsoft identified Russian cyber-actor groups Storm-1679 and Doppelganger as the main perpetrators behind these attacks. These groups have also impersonated militant organizations and fabricated threats amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict to heighten fears surrounding the Olympics.
President Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged the threat, stating in April that he had “no doubt” Russia was targeting the Games. Microsoft’s report warns that Russia’s propaganda machine is likely to intensify its efforts as the Olympics approach, leveraging AI-generated content to reach a broader audience and maximize the impact of their disinformation campaigns.
