Russia orchestrates largest ever TikTok campaign criticizing Reznikov - investigation

The Center for Strategic Communications reported this based on the DFRLab investigation.

In late July 2023, DFRLab noticed numerous Twitter posts sharing TikTok videos criticizing ex-defense minister Oleksii Reznikov.

These accounts posted only one video each, featuring AI-generated audio. Subsequently, BBC Verify uncovered hundreds of accounts using similar tactics.

Russians circulated a video alleging that Reznikov's daughter, ICTV executive Anastasia Steinhaus, had bought a villa in Madrid through a shell Cypriot company.

"Several accounts followed suit, posting videos with consistent claims, but discrepancies in details like images of the alleged villa or its value raised doubts about the allegations' legitimacy," as reported by SPRAVDI.

As of now, TikTok has removed over 12,800 accounts involved in the information operation, attracting more than 847,000 followers and generating hundreds of millions of views.

TikTok called it the largest information operation ever detected on the platform, dubbing it the Russian secret information operation.

• Currently, a fake video is circulating online featuring a Ukrainian Armed Forces military officer urging people to flee Ukraine and its Defense Forces.