Russian Trolls’ Tactics to Achieve Virality on X

Russian trolls are ramping up their efforts on social media as the U.S. presidential election approaches, focusing on gaining the attention of high-profile influencers to amplify divisive narratives. This latest wave of activity represents a notable shift in tactics, moving from the more sophisticated, high-investment accounts used in previous election cycles to a strategy that relies heavily on low-quality, high-volume spam. This change is indicative of an evolving playbook aimed at sowing discord and undermining democratic processes through sheer volume rather than subtlety.

Since 2022, a network of fake personas on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) has been actively engaging with influential figures, including billionaire Elon Musk, Donald Trump Jr., and conservative media personalities like Tucker Carlson. The goal of these interactions is to inject divisive content into conversations and to weaken international support for Ukraine, a key geopolitical issue that has drawn global attention. By piggybacking on the visibility of these influencers’ accounts, the Russian trolls aim to spread their messages not just to the influencers themselves but also to their extensive followings, amplifying the reach and impact of their propaganda.

The strategy involves fake accounts posing as Americans and replying to posts by prominent political figures, media outlets, and journalists. The Wall Street Journal’s review of more than a thousand posts revealed that these accounts were part of a concerted effort to influence the political discourse by fanning the flames of division. In July, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) disclosed nearly 1,000 X accounts tied to a Russian bot farm operated by the Federal Security Service (FSB). While the DOJ provided limited details about the activities of this network, it was clear that the operation was focused on spreading false and misleading information, particularly around the U.S., Europe, and Israel.

The operation appears to have been aimed at creating and amplifying political divisions, particularly around the issue of Ukraine. According to Clemson University researchers, who analyzed the data shared by the DOJ, this campaign reflects a broader shift in Russia’s approach to online influence operations. Previously, Russian trolls invested significant time and resources in building accounts that could convincingly pose as real individuals with large followings. Now, the focus has shifted to quickly churning out low-quality accounts designed to flood social media platforms with divisive content.

One of the narratives pushed by these accounts involved false claims about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. For instance, the trolls repeatedly claimed that Zelensky was attempting to compel Hungary—a NATO member with more pro-Russian sentiments than other European nations—to join the war effort against Russia. These claims were spread through replies to tweets from figures like Donald Trump Jr., and major news outlets such as CNN, Fox News, and Politico, as well as individual journalists and members of Congress. The sheer volume of these replies was intended to seed these false narratives among both influencers and their audiences.

Despite the removal of most of these accounts by X, the tactics used by the Russian trolls highlight a concerning trend as the U.S. election nears. The shift towards rapid, low-quality account creation and mass messaging suggests that Russia is adapting its methods to maximize disruption with minimal investment. U.S. officials have also pointed out that Russia is not alone in these efforts—Iran has been similarly engaged in influence operations targeting the U.S. election. For example, earlier this month, the Trump campaign accused Iran of hacking into some of its internal communications, a claim that is currently under investigation by the FBI.

While the specific accounts tied to Russia’s latest influence operation may not have achieved significant visibility before being taken down, their activity provides a glimpse into potential future tactics. The ongoing use of social media as a battleground for foreign influence underscores the need for continued vigilance among both platforms and users as the election approaches. The ability of these low-quality accounts to slip through the cracks and spread misinformation poses a significant threat to the integrity of democratic discourse in the U.S.

Social media platforms, influencers, and the general public must remain alert to the evolving tactics of foreign actors seeking to interfere in the electoral process. As the U.S. moves closer to the presidential election, the battle to maintain the integrity of online discourse will likely intensify, with foreign actors like Russia continuing to adapt and refine their strategies in an effort to sow chaos and undermine confidence in the democratic process.