The Justice Department has successfully uncovered and dismantled a Russian propaganda network operating on the social media platform X, according to recent reports. The network, consisting of nearly 1,000 accounts, was found to be disseminating pro-Russia posts while posing as American individuals. These accounts, which included a bitcoin investor in Minneapolis, were later revealed to be masks for Russian operatives who had the approval and financial backing of the Kremlin.
Court affidavits and a news release from the Justice Department confirmed that the Russian operatives utilized artificial intelligence to create fictitious accounts, making it easier to generate text and produce images. Attorney General Merrick Garland described the network as a bot farm used to spread disinformation both within the United States and abroad, particularly regarding Russia’s claims to Ukraine.
While the Justice Department did not provide specific details on the network’s success in spreading its messaging, it highlighted the ongoing threat of disinformation, especially in relation to upcoming U.S. elections. Experts have warned that advanced technology, new tactics, and a lack of platform moderation have left social media platforms vulnerable to foreign attacks.
X, the social media platform owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, identified and suspended a significant number of the bot accounts before the Justice Department’s intervention. It has since voluntarily removed the remaining accounts, earning commendation from the department. X has not yet responded to requests for comment, and the Russian Embassy in Washington has also remained silent on the matter.
Prosecutors revealed that individuals affiliated with RT, a Russian state media organization banned in Europe, were involved in operating the fake accounts. In 2017, RT agreed to register as a foreign agent in the United States. The posts on X included video clips of Russian President Vladimir Putin discussing Ukraine and justifying Russia’s war, according to the Justice Department.
The FBI, in collaboration with Canadian and Dutch authorities, issued a cybersecurity advisory stating that the network operated solely on X but had intentions to expand to other social media platforms. The advisory also mentioned the use of AI software tools known as Meliorator.
In a federal court filing in Arizona, the Justice Department published a list of 968 pro-Russia fake accounts on X, covertly created between June 2022 and March of this year. These accounts, often referred to as “sock puppets” by security researchers, aimed to obscure the identities of those behind them. Additionally, the department announced the seizure of two internet domain names associated with the email addresses used to create the accounts.