Russia takes gold for disinformation as Olympics approach

Microsoft is tracking coordinated Russia-affiliated disinformation operations (Storm-1679 and Storm-1099) aimed at undermining trust in the 2024 Paris Olympics through AI-generated deepfakes, fake documentaries, spoofed media clips (including fabricated CIA and France24 videos), and multiple fake news sites in French and English; the campaign seeks to stoke fears of terrorism, discredit leaders, and reduce attendance. The report links this activity to a broader historical pattern of Russian state-aligned cyber operations against major international sporting events.