The investigation found that a ⁣video was commissioned and paid for by a Russian group, Storm-1516, which is identified ‌as a Kremlin-linked ​troll group. The video featured ⁣an actress playing the victim and was⁤ distributed on a fake website for a defunct San Francisco ‌media outlet ‍called KBSF-TV.

According to Microsoft, “Russian influence efforts have been directed at the Democratic campaign ‌with renewed vigor after President Joe Biden withdrew‌ from the⁣ 2024 US presidential race.”

Microsoft ⁣also stated that Storm-1516 produced content that linked Vice​ President ⁣Harris and Gov. Vice Presidential candidate Tim Waltz to highly ​false conspiracy ⁣theories in late ⁢August.

Storm-1516 is known for posting misleading videos‌ with hired actors ⁤impersonating ⁢journalists or civil society organizations to spread false and scandalous information, experts say.

The video was shared on September 3 by an Aussie Cossack on X.com, who identified ⁤himself as a “registered foreign agent for Sputnik News” and added “making a viral video, friends of MAGA ‌(Donald Trump group – ed.).” The video has‌ been viewed 2.7 million times.

Microsoft’s threat‍ analysis think tank stated that ⁣”a number of other groups associated with the pro-Russia ecosystem have widely disseminated the video as well as the⁣ false claims.”

Earlier this month, the ​US ⁤Department of Justice‍ filed money-laundering charges against two ⁢employees of Russian state media group RT on suspicion of involvement in a scheme to‌ hire a US⁤ content production company to influence the country’s elections.