How TikTok Fakes on Ukraine War Spread Russian Lies to Millions

The BBC has uncovered a Russian propaganda campaign on TikTok involving thousands of fake accounts spreading disinformation about the war in Ukraine. The campaign aims to undermine Western support for Ukraine and has targeted users in several European countries. The fake TikTok videos have played a role in the dismissal of Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov. The videos make false claims about senior Ukrainian officials and their relatives buying luxury cars or villas abroad after Russia’s invasion in February 2022. The BBC has found nearly 800 fake accounts since July, and TikTok says it has taken down over 12,000 fake accounts originating in Russia.