Pro-Russian Fake News and Disinformation Spread on TikTok: New Research and Analysis
Recent investigations conducted by the Institute of Mass Information (IMI) have uncovered a widespread phenomenon of pro-Russian disinformation and fake news dissemination through the popular video-sharing platform TikTok.
Experts analyzed videos recommended to Ukrainian users during September 9–10, 2025, using trending hashtags related to Ukraine.
Out of 145 videos suggested by the platform’s algorithms, 30 contained either falsehoods or manipulative content.
Seventeen of these were classified as outright fake news, while thirteen fell into the category of manipulations.
In these videos, narratives promoting Russia’s inevitable victory, conspiracy theories involving the West, and attempts to discredit Ukrainian authorities and the Armed Forces of Ukraine were actively propagated.Particularly alarming was the discovery of a network comprising over 600 TikTok accounts dedicated to undermining Ukraine’s reputation.
The authors of this pro-Russian content are mainly bloggers and former politicians who employed clickbait titles, emotional appeals, and news-like formats to influence viewers.
Notably, many videos were created using artificial intelligence, which added a layer of sophistication and realism, although often with unnatural voice intonations and Russian-language cues.
The IMI emphasizes that the primary goal of these campaigns is to weaken the morale and psychological resilience of Ukrainians, sow doubt about the country’s ability to resist Russian aggression, and foster an illusion of helplessness and dependence on external forces.Earlier, the Center for Countering Disinformation reported a new wave of fake videos on TikTok aimed at discrediting Ukrainian military personnel.
One such video falsely depicted Ukrainian soldiers experiencing moral decline, including a fabricated story about cannibalism within military units.
Experts clarify that these videos are predominantly generated using artificial intelligence, with unnatural voice modulations and Russian syntax embedded in the content, all designed to destabilize Ukraine’s internal situation.