AI-generated deepfake videos spread on TikTok in Russian disinformation campaign targeting Ukraine
Russia reportedly used AI-generated deepfake videos on TikTok depicting street interviews to spread disinformation in Ukraine, promoting anti-war and anti-mobilization narratives. Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation confirmed the videos were AI-created and warned that the campaign aimed to demoralize the public and undermine resistance efforts.
What happened
Videos circulating on TikTok reportedly showed street interviews with ordinary Ukrainians discussing war, mobilization, and peace negotiations. According to Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, all videos were entirely AI-generated and shared a uniform visual style.
Video subjects expressed exclusively pessimistic messages: opposing mobilization, calling the war 'senseless,' blaming authorities for 'sabotaging peace,' and promoting the claim that reclaiming occupied territories is 'unnecessary.' Verification through deepfake detection services confirmed the videos were AI-generated.
Reported impact
The Center for Countering Disinformation stated the videos aimed to demoralize Ukrainian society and reduce resistance by promoting a narrative of 'peace at any price,' with the goal of imposing feelings of despair and hopelessness on Ukrainians.
The Center described these videos as part of a new wave of information-psychological operations intended to undermine mobilization efforts in Ukraine.
Index analysis
The uniform visual style and consistently pessimistic messaging across videos suggests coordinated production rather than organic user-generated content.
Governance controls
Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation identified and publicly warned about the campaign, calling on citizens to be cautious and rely only on verified sources of information.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.