Russian actors spread fake video of alleged illegal voting by Haitians in Georgia: US intelligence

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US intelligence agencies on Friday issued a warning about ongoing Russian disinformation campaigns they said were designed to undermine confidence in the Nov. 5 presidential elections.

In a joint statement released on Thursday, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) highlighted recent instances of fabricated media aimed at discrediting the electoral process.

They said that Russian influence actors recently disseminated a false video purporting to show individuals claiming to be from Haiti illegally casting ballots in Georgia.

"This judgment is based on information available to the IC and prior activities of other Russian influence actors, including videos and other disinformation activities. The Georgia Secretary of State has already refuted the video’s claims as false," the statement explained.

The statement also addressed other disinformation efforts, including a video falsely accusing a prominent political figure associated with the Democratic presidential campaign of taking a bribe from a US entertainer.

"This Russian activity is part of Moscow’s broader effort to raise unfounded questions about the integrity of the U.S. election and stoke divisions among Americans, as detailed in prior ODNI election updates. In the lead up to election day and in the weeks and months after, the IC expects Russia to create and release additional media content that seeks to undermine trust in the integrity of the election and divide Americans," the statement added.

The warning comes after he US government in September charged and imposed sanctions on Russian state media officials for their role in promoting disinformation intended to influence the electoral outcome.