Celebrities Tricked Into Recording Pro-Russia Propaganda Videos: Microsoft Report Reveals Kremlin’s Manipulation of Famous Figures.

Celebrities Tricked Into Recording Pro-Russia Propaganda Videos

Five American celebrities have been tricked into recording video messages for a stranger named “Vladimir,” which were then doctored and used to discredit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to a new report from Microsoft.

The celebrities, including Elijah Wood of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ film series, Elvis Presley’s ex-wife Priscilla Presley, “Breaking Bad” actor Dean Norris, “The Office” actor Kate Flannery, “Scrubs” actor John McGinley and System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian, had all recorded the messages on the app Cameo, where people can purchase customized greetings from celebrities and public figures.

The Kremlin took advantage of these celebrities by repurposing their video messages to falsely portray Ukrainian President Zelensky as a drug addict, and diminish support for the war-torn country’s leader. Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Center’s latest report on Russian digital threats revealed that the videos were purchased on Cameo and strategically edited to create the propaganda.

Ukraine has been in a state of conflict since 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula and began supporting separatists in the eastern part of the country. The United States and other Western countries have been providing financial and military aid to Ukraine in an effort to counter Russian aggression.

The use of celebrities to spread false information is a tactic that has been used by Russia and other countries in the past. Microsoft’s report is a reminder of the need to be aware of the potential for manipulation of public figures and their messages. It is also a reminder of the importance of providing support to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.