Russia, AI and the Future of Disinformation Warfare

Wallner, Copeland, and Giustozzi's RUSI analysis is based on original Russian-language Telegram and online channel analysis — a methodological distinction that separates it from most Western analysis of Russian AI use in disinformation, which relies on English-language sources. By reading how Russian state-affiliated actors, Wagner-linked networks, and hacktivist collectives discuss AI among themselves, the authors produce an inside view of how AI is conceptualised within Russian information warfare ecosystems.

The finding that there is significant anxiety within Russian information warfare circles about Western AI dominance is analytically important and underreported. Russian actors are adopting AI in a context where they perceive themselves as behind Western capabilities and are seeking to compensate through volume and targeting rather than technical sophistication.