Wed Sep 18 01:18:20 UTC 2024: ## Russian Disinformation Campaign Targets Kamala Harris with Fake Hit-and-Run Video
**San Francisco, USA:** A new investigation by Microsoft reveals that a fabricated video alleging Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris was involved in a hit-and-run incident in 2011 is part of a Russian disinformation campaign aimed at influencing the upcoming US election.
The video, which claims Harris left a 13-year-old girl paralyzed, was created by a Kremlin-aligned troll farm known as Storm-1516. The operation involved paying an actor to impersonate the victim and creating a fake website for a non-existent San Francisco news outlet, KBSF-TV, to spread the false story. The claim was then amplified on social media platforms like X.com under the hashtag #HitAndRunKamala.
This latest disinformation effort signals an escalation of Russian influence operations ahead of the November election. The Microsoft report states that Russian influence efforts initially struggled to adapt following President Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. However, Storm-1516 began producing content targeting Vice President Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, in late August.
This isn’t the first time Russia has been accused of interfering in US elections. Earlier this month, the US Justice Department filed money-laundering charges against two employees of Russian state media network RT for their alleged role in a scheme to influence the election through online content.
US officials believe Russia’s goal is to deepen political divisions within the US and weaken public support for American aid to Ukraine. Harris has stated that if elected, she will continue to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion.
The fake video has been viewed over 2.7 million times, highlighting the potential reach and impact of disinformation campaigns. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information and being aware of the potential for manipulation, especially during election season.
First Piper 