Russia scales up distribution of AI-generated manipulative videos featuring children on TikTok -…

Russia has intensified its information operations on TikTok, employing AI-generated videos featuring children. These videos are designed to manipulate and demoralize Ukrainian military personnel.

What happened

Previously, isolated instances of AI-generated children appeared among other destructive content. Now, Russia has expanded this tactic, creating dedicated TikTok accounts specializing in these videos. The videos primarily depict preschool-aged children crying because of separation from or the death of their father who is at war. These profiles are part of a coordinated network of anonymous accounts. By creating artificial emotional images, the operation targets the sensitive topic of family to instill guilt in Ukrainian military personnel for "leaving their families" and undermine their morale.