US officials warn that Russia has authorised a covert online influence campaign ahead of November’s midterm elections, using social media and artificial intelligence to spread divisive political material and undermine confidence. The operation reportedly aims primarily to deepen existing divisions and create chaos, rather than directly alter voting systems or support one particular party.

The campaign allegedly includes fabricated videos and posts impersonating outlets such as CNN, the BBC and The New York Times, as well as a false video portraying Jamie Lee Curtis criticising Democrats that gained almost 200,000 views on X. Democratic candidates, including Jon Ossoff, Sherrod Brown and Roy Cooper, have reportedly been targeted. China is also being monitored for possible interference in individual races, although officials believe it may avoid action because of the risk of exposure and political repercussions; a separate incident showed how inaccurate AI analysis nearly led the US military to confront a Chinese vessel.