AI-Generated Videos of Ukrainian Troops Appear on TikTok Amid Rising Russian Disinformation

Russian propagandists have launched a sophisticated disinformation campaign using artificial intelligence to create fake testimonials from soldiers, according to a recent report from Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD).

The videos feature AI-generated soldiers who claim to be stationed at various positions along the front line, sharing alarming messages about collapsing defenses, Russian troops infiltrating Ukrainian positions, chaos within military units, and commanders showing indifference to troops’ concerns.

These fabricated “personal confessions” are designed to appear authentic, but analysts have confirmed they are entirely generated using AI technology. This approach allows Russian operatives to rapidly produce large quantities of false testimonies, creating what the CCD describes as “the illusion of a systemic catastrophe at the front.”

According to the Center, this psychological operation serves multiple strategic purposes. The primary goal appears to be undermining morale among Ukrainian service members by sowing distrust within military units and fostering a sense of hopelessness about the defensive situation.

“The campaign targets both military personnel and civilians simultaneously,” a CCD representative explained. “For civilians, these fabricated testimonials aim to create doubt regarding Ukraine’s defensive capabilities and question the value of military service during this critical period.”

This latest disinformation effort represents an evolution in Russia’s propaganda tactics, leveraging advanced AI technology to create more convincing and emotionally impactful content. The use of seemingly personal testimonials exploits natural human tendencies to trust firsthand accounts, particularly from those purportedly on the battlefield.

The CCD’s disclosure comes amid a broader pattern of Russian information operations targeting Ukraine. Earlier reports identified a coordinated network of TikTok accounts spreading fake videos about mass surrenders of Ukrainian troops near Pokrovsk. These videos were strategically captioned in various foreign languages, suggesting an attempt to influence international opinion about Ukraine’s military situation.

In another recent disinformation campaign, Russian sources circulated false claims about Ukraine possessing a “dirty nuclear bomb.” According to the CCD, these allegations suggested that Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) had conducted simulations of radiological weapon detonations in populated areas and planned to use such weapons under false pretenses.

“Disinformation about Ukrainian weapons of mass destruction represents one of the oldest narratives in Russia’s propaganda playbook,” noted the CCD in their assessment. “The Kremlin typically activates these narratives when seeking to justify its own military actions or when preparing the information environment for potential escalation.”

Security and information warfare experts warn that these increasingly sophisticated disinformation tactics present significant challenges for Ukrainian authorities and their international partners. As AI technology becomes more accessible and capable of generating convincing fake content, distinguishing between authentic and fabricated battlefield accounts grows increasingly difficult for average citizens.

The CCD continues to monitor these evolving threats and has emphasized the importance of media literacy and critical evaluation of content claiming to show frontline situations, particularly when such content aligns with known Russian propaganda narratives or appears designed to provoke emotional responses that undermine Ukrainian resolve.