Russian Hackers Target Bluesky to Spread Misinformation

The social media platform Bluesky reported that Russian hackers infiltrated user accounts to disseminate fake articles. This tactic marks a new method in spreading misinformation.

On May 21, 2026, Ben Gilbert, an economist and professor at the Colorado School of Mines, discovered his Bluesky account was hacked. His account, usually containing posts about natural resources, displayed a video targeting France’s support for Ukraine, falsely linking it to police shortages in France. This activity occurred without Gilbert’s knowledge.

Gilbert was among many whose accounts were compromised. Researchers at Clemson University, collaborating with a team monitoring Russian activities, identified the breach. Targeted individuals included journalists, professors, a Texas pollster, an anime artist, and a filmmaker from Hollywood. The filmmaker’s account was used to release a video forged by artificial intelligence, imitating a Canadian police official to steer criticism towards French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Social Design Agency, based in Moscow, orchestrated the campaign, as detailed by Clemson researchers. This operation reflects Russia’s ongoing attempts to undermine Western support for Ukraine after their military operation started in 2022.