Russian disinformation campaign targets AI systems via fake websites
Russian state-linked Social Design Agency created fake websites cloning Wikipedia and other reference sites to poison AI training data and manipulate search engine results with propaganda, according to internal documents disclosed by Bloomberg.
What happened
The Kremlin developed a strategy to deceive artificial intelligence and search engines using a network of fake websites and cloned Wikipedia sites to make algorithms distribute Russian propaganda to users, according to internal documents from Social Design Agency (SDA) obtained by Bloomberg.
Bloomberg journalists identified three fake Wikipedia-style resource sites created in early 2026, which were subsequently shut down by a hosting provider. Another project targeted Germany with approximately 200,000 webpages created, and operators planned to edit materials monthly for search systems and train six AI platforms using this content.
The project, called 'Project 2026', aimed to build an extensive network of reference sites in Wikipedia style, fake media outlets, and fraudulent analytical centers to influence not only internet users but also search engine algorithms and AI chatbots by spreading false information about politicians and current events.
Reported impact
The operation targeted multiple countries and languages, with documented plans to manipulate search traffic and influence AI chatbots using false information.
The campaign was designed to poison training data used by modern chatbots and control information sources used to form responses from search services and large language models.
Index analysis
Internal documents from SDA spanning 2023 to 2026 reveal Russian operators sought to control information sources used by search services and language models to shape AI responses.
The strategy involved creating search-engine-optimized fake reference sites intended to feed false narratives into AI training datasets and search algorithms.
Governance controls
Social Design Agency was sanctioned by the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union for involvement in information operations supporting the Kremlin.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.