Image Credentials: Image Title: AI Tools Used in Alleged Russian Influence Campaign Targeting Africa Source: (chatgpt.com) Date: April 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (chatgpt.com) by Open Chronicle and does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle with Agencies
OpenAI has revealed that it dismantled a network of accounts linked to a pro-Kremlin media outlet that used artificial intelligence to plan and support influence operations in Africa, highlighting the growing role of AI in geopolitical information campaigns.
The operation, dubbed “Fish Food,” was tied to Rybar, a Russian military-focused platform. According to OpenAI, the network used ChatGPT to generate large volumes of multilingual content and assist in drafting proposals for covert influence strategies.
AI as a Content Engine
Researchers said the accounts functioned as a kind of “content farm,” producing posts in multiple languages, including English and Spanish, often based on prompts written in Russian. The material was later distributed across platforms such as Telegram and X, though OpenAI noted it could not independently verify how all the content was ultimately published.
The messaging followed patterns consistent with previous influence efforts, praising Russia and its allies, criticizing Ukraine, and accusing Western countries of interference in global affairs.
Plans for Covert Operations
Beyond content generation, the investigation uncovered attempts to use AI tools to design broader influence campaigns. One user reportedly sought assistance in creating a commercial plan for operations in Africa, including managing social media accounts, launching a bilingual investigative website, and securing placements in French-language media outlets.
Another set of prompts focused on election-related strategies, including building local networks, organizing events, and shaping online narratives. Researchers identified references to electoral processes in countries such as Burundi and Cameroon, as well as discussions about campaign tactics in Madagascar.
Some proposals envisioned budgets reaching up to $600,000 annually, suggesting a structured and potentially well-funded approach to influence operations.
Limited Impact Observed
Despite the scale of content production, OpenAI said it found limited evidence that the campaign achieved significant amplification through mainstream media or translated into coordinated on-the-ground activity in Africa.
Rybar’s main Telegram channel has a substantial following, with around 1.4 million subscribers, but the broader network’s reach appeared more constrained.
Wider Implications
The findings underscore concerns about how artificial intelligence can be leveraged in information warfare, enabling rapid content generation and more sophisticated planning of influence campaigns.
Rybar was founded by Mikhail Zvinchuk, a former Russian Defense Ministry press officer, alongside Denis Shchukin. Reports from independent Russian media have also linked the project’s early funding to Yevgeny Prigozhin.
As governments and technology companies grapple with the implications, the case highlights the evolving intersection of digital tools and geopolitical competition, where influence is increasingly shaped not only on the ground but also through algorithms and artificial intelligence.