Resurgent Russian Disinformation Network Targets 2026 US Midterms with AI-Powered Fake News
A vast Russian disinformation network, with links to a former Florida sheriff’s deputy, has resurfaced with a vengeance, posing a significant threat to the integrity of the upcoming 2026 US midterm elections. Leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence and backed by Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU, this network has unleashed a barrage of fabricated news, forged documents, and deepfakes designed to manipulate voters in the United States, Canada, and Europe. This resurgence comes at a critical juncture, as the US government scales back its efforts to combat foreign interference in elections, leaving the country vulnerable to these sophisticated manipulation tactics.
The network, known as CopyCop or Storm-1516, has dramatically expanded its operations in 2025, launching over 200 new fake news websites. These websites masquerade as legitimate local news outlets, employing AI-generated content that mimics journalistic style while subtly injecting pro-Kremlin and pro-Trump narratives. This sophisticated approach aims to deceive readers by exploiting their trust in local media sources, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between authentic reporting and malicious propaganda. The network’s reach extends beyond the US, targeting political figures and influencing public opinion in France, Ukraine, and other countries.
At the helm of this disinformation operation is John Mark Dougan, a former Florida deputy sheriff who sought political asylum in Moscow in 2016. Researchers have identified Dougan as a Kremlin-aligned operative with ties to the GRU and the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise. His involvement in previous disinformation campaigns has been documented by both the US Treasury and the Washington Post, solidifying his role as a key player in Russia’s information warfare strategy. The GRU is believed to be financing the network’s infrastructure, including the LLM servers used to rewrite content, generate false articles, and create deepfakes targeting high-profile political figures.
The CopyCop network has a history of employing outlandish and often bizarre tactics to disseminate disinformation. In the lead-up to the 2024 US election, the network circulated a video falsely accusing then-Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris of being a rhino poacher. This year, their tactics have evolved to include forged documents and AI-generated articles. One such example involves a fabricated story published on a fake news website accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of misusing US taxpayer money to negatively portray former President Donald Trump. This article, purportedly supported by a forged Ukrainian presidential document, highlights the network’s increasingly sophisticated methods of manipulating information and spreading false narratives.
The network’s scope extends beyond mimicking local news outlets. It also includes websites posing as fact-checkers, political organizations, and even separatist movements. This diverse range of fabricated online entities allows the network to target specific demographics and exploit existing political divisions within countries. For instance, websites promoting separatist sentiment in Alberta, Canada, aim to sow discord and polarize public opinion. This multifaceted approach underscores the network’s adaptability and its intent to exploit vulnerabilities within various political landscapes.
This alarming resurgence of Russian disinformation activity comes at a time when the US government is weakening its defenses against foreign interference in elections. The Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Kristi Noem, has significantly reduced the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) focus on election-related disinformation. This decision leaves state-level election officials without crucial federal support as they prepare for the 2026 midterms, making them more susceptible to the manipulative tactics employed by networks like CopyCop. The timing of this cutback raises serious concerns about the nation’s preparedness to counter sophisticated disinformation campaigns designed to undermine democratic processes.
The proliferation of AI-powered disinformation networks like CopyCop presents a grave challenge to the integrity of elections and the stability of democratic institutions. The ability to generate vast amounts of convincing yet fabricated content, coupled with the erosion of trust in traditional media, creates a fertile ground for manipulation and the spread of false narratives. As the 2026 midterms approach, it is imperative that governments, tech companies, and individuals work together to strengthen defenses against this evolving threat. This includes investing in media literacy programs, developing more robust fact-checking mechanisms, and holding social media platforms accountable for the spread of disinformation on their platforms. The future of democratic societies may depend on our ability to effectively counter these sophisticated and insidious attacks on truth and informed decision-making.
