Kremlin Hijacks Hundreds of Bluesky Accounts to Push Ukraine Propaganda

2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 21

Hundreds of Bluesky accounts were compromised and used to post fake news videos and messages aimed at weakening Western support for Ukraine, according to the platform and outside researchers.
Bluesky, Clemson University researchers and the dTeam internet-monitoring collective linked the campaign to Moscow-based Social Design Agency, describing it as a new Russian influence tactic.
The hijacked accounts belonged to journalists, professors and other credible but not necessarily famous users, giving the propaganda a veneer of authenticity.
One Colorado School of Mines professor found his rarely used account had posted a fabricated report blaming France’s support for Ukraine for police staffing shortages; another account shared an AI-doctored video impersonating a Canadian police official criticizing Emmanuel Macron.
The operation shows Russia still adapting its online influence playbook to new platforms as it seeks to erode backing for Ukraine after its 2022 invasion.

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