Celebrities Unwittingly Used in Russian Propaganda Cameo Videos

Russian propagandists have been using Cameo videos featuring celebrities like Elijah Wood and Priscilla Presley to create the false impression that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is seeking help for substance abuse issues, according to Microsoft researchers. The videos, modified to include emojis, links, and media logos, were circulated through social media and presented as news clips. Microsoft stated that the videos, attributed to an unknown Russia-aligned influence actor, have been amplified by Russian state-affiliated and state-run media outlets. Cameo, the platform used to request personalized videos from celebrities, said the videos appear to violate its community guidelines and may result in the removal of the content and suspension of the purchaser's account.