Russian Propaganda Uses AI-Generated Videos to Spread Peace Narrative in Ukraine Conflict

Russian intelligence services have ramped up their disinformation efforts against Ukraine, deploying sophisticated AI-generated videos that mimic street polls to undermine public support for the war effort, according to Ukrainian officials.

The Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), operating under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, has issued a warning about this latest evolution in Russia’s information warfare arsenal. In a recent social media statement, the agency detailed how these fabricated videos present seemingly ordinary Ukrainian citizens advocating for “peace at any cost” – regardless of the territorial or sovereignty implications.

“These videos are designed with remarkable attention to detail, creating a visual style that closely resembles authentic street interviews,” a CCD spokesperson explained. “However, comprehensive analysis using specialized detection tools confirms they are entirely AI-generated – not a single ‘person’ in these videos actually exists.”

The fabricated street polls follow a consistent narrative pattern. The AI-generated “Ukrainians” express growing war fatigue and suggest that peace should be the priority, while implying that Ukrainian authorities are needlessly prolonging the conflict. This narrative aims to shift blame for the war’s continuation away from Russia, the aggressor nation, and onto Ukraine’s leadership.

Intelligence experts note this represents a significant evolution in Russia’s digital propaganda tactics. While Russia has long employed disinformation campaigns across social media platforms, the sophistication of these AI-generated videos marks an escalation in technological approach.

“What makes these videos particularly concerning is their potential to appear authentic to the average viewer,” said Dr. Mykhailo Vasylenko, a digital security analyst based in Kyiv. “Without specialized tools or training, many people might not recognize these as AI fabrications, especially when they’re shared across platforms without context.”

The CCD indicates this is not an isolated incident but part of a broader disinformation strategy. Previous waves of similar AI-generated content have promoted the notion that Ukrainian citizens support territorial concessions to Russia – a narrative that contradicts polling data showing strong Ukrainian opposition to ceding territory.

These tactics align with Russia’s larger information warfare strategy that has evolved significantly since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Russian propagandists have repeatedly attempted to create the impression of international support for their position by creating fake materials purporting to represent foreign media outlets, especially during high-profile international events.

The timing of this latest disinformation push coincides with ongoing discussions about potential peace negotiations and increasing pressure on international support systems for Ukraine. Security experts suggest Russia aims to exploit war fatigue both within Ukraine and among its international partners.

Ukrainian media literacy organizations are responding by publishing guidelines to help citizens identify AI-generated content. Key indicators include unnatural facial movements, inconsistent lighting, audio-visual misalignments, and backgrounds that may contain subtle distortions.

“This represents the next frontier in information warfare,” said Oleksandra Matviychuk, a cybersecurity researcher at Ukraine’s Digital Transformation Ministry. “As AI technology becomes more accessible and sophisticated, distinguishing between authentic and fabricated content will become increasingly challenging.”

International digital security organizations have also expressed concern about the implications of these tactics beyond the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The deployment of realistic AI-generated videos to influence public opinion represents a threat to democratic discourse globally, as similar methods could be employed in election campaigns or other politically sensitive contexts worldwide.

Ukrainian officials urge citizens to verify information through multiple trusted sources and remain vigilant about the content they consume and share on social media platforms.