What happened
Russia has been using artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos on the battlefield, making it difficult to verify the truth in Ukraine. According to the Institute for the Study of War, at least 35 videos were AI-altered between June 1 and August 30. These videos have been used to claim false victories and manipulate public opinion.
In one instance, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russian forces had captured the town of Sviatohirsk, but a video later showed a Ukrainian general standing in the town, proving that it was still under Ukrainian control. The Kremlin-affiliated military blogger conceded that the earlier videos were AI-generated.
The use of AI-generated videos is not limited to claiming false victories. Russian sources have also used them to counter Ukrainian advances, making it difficult to verify the truth on the battlefield. The Institute for the Study of War warns that this tactic is contaminating the system of verification, making it expensive to verify the truth.
The problem is not just limited to the battlefield. The use of AI-generated videos is also affecting the broader information war. Russian state-linked actors are using AI to speed up espionage and influence operations, including media workflows. This has made it difficult for democracies to authenticate reality faster than Moscow can manufacture doubt.
