Flax@feddit.uk to Ask Lemmy@lemmy.worldEnglish · 4 months agoIn an alternative timeline, you somehow made generative AI (both images and video) before anybody else. Nobody is aware you have it. How do you use/abuse your new tool?message-squaremessage-square3fedilinkarrow-up11arrow-down11
arrow-up10arrow-down1message-squareIn an alternative timeline, you somehow made generative AI (both images and video) before anybody else. Nobody is aware you have it. How do you use/abuse your new tool?Flax@feddit.uk to Ask Lemmy@lemmy.worldEnglish · 4 months agomessage-square3fedilink
minus-squareOmega@discuss.onlinelinkfedilinkarrow-up0·4 months agoThis is as much of a conspiracy theory as the right spouts, though I’m not against it
minus-squareJerkface (any/all)@lemmy.calinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up1·edit-24 months agoTimeline of modern examples of Russian “hybrid warfare” 2007 – Estonia Cyberattacks After Estonia removed a Soviet war memorial, it was hit by massive cyberattacks targeting government, banks, and media. One of the first clear cases of state-linked cyberwarfare combined with information warfare. 2008 – Russo-Georgian War Russia used cyberattacks, propaganda, separatist movements in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and limited military force. Information manipulation portrayed Georgia as the aggressor. 2014 – Crimea and Eastern Ukraine Crimea annexation: Russian “little green men” seized key points while propaganda campaigns confused the population and international observers. Donbas War: Russia armed and supported separatists while denying direct involvement, using cyberwarfare and disinformation heavily. 2015 – Syrian Conflict Russia intervened in Syria, blending military force, private military companies (e.g., Wagner Group), propaganda, and diplomatic manipulation. Russia portrayed itself as fighting “terrorism” while targeting opposition forces. 2016 – U.S. Presidential Election Interference Russian intelligence agencies (GRU, FSB) engaged in cyberattacks, hacked emails, social media manipulation, and disinformation campaigns. This was a major hybrid campaign aiming to sow distrust and division. 2017 – NotPetya Cyberattack Originating from Russia and targeting Ukraine, the NotPetya malware spread globally, crippling companies and infrastructure. Disguised as ransomware but actually destructive sabotage. 2018 – Skripal Poisoning in the UK Russian operatives used a banned nerve agent in an assassination attempt. Propaganda and diplomatic misinformation campaigns followed to confuse attribution. Blending covert action, deniability, and information distortion. 2020 – Belarus Protests Russia supported Belarusian regime of Lukashenko against widespread protests. Information campaigns, security force support, and diplomatic pressure were combined. 2022 – Full-scale Invasion of Ukraine Initially framed as a “special military operation” to “de-Nazify” Ukraine. Involved military invasion, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, economic blackmail (like gas supply threats), and the use of mercenary groups. Continued narrative warfare domestically and internationally. 2022–2025 – Global Disinformation and Influence Campaigns Russia expanded its hybrid toolkit: Artificial amplification of anti-Western narratives globally. Building alliances with other disinformation actors (e.g., Iran, China). Using energy markets, food supply disruptions, and cyberattacks as pressure points. Strengthening alternative media ecosystems (like RT, Sputnik, Telegram channels) to bypass bans in Europe and elsewhere. Emergence of AI-driven propaganda (deepfakes, AI-generated fake news).
This is as much of a conspiracy theory as the right spouts, though I’m not against it
Timeline of modern examples of Russian “hybrid warfare”
2007 – Estonia Cyberattacks
After Estonia removed a Soviet war memorial, it was hit by massive cyberattacks targeting government, banks, and media.
One of the first clear cases of state-linked cyberwarfare combined with information warfare.
2008 – Russo-Georgian War
Russia used cyberattacks, propaganda, separatist movements in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and limited military force.
Information manipulation portrayed Georgia as the aggressor.
2014 – Crimea and Eastern Ukraine
Crimea annexation: Russian “little green men” seized key points while propaganda campaigns confused the population and international observers.
Donbas War: Russia armed and supported separatists while denying direct involvement, using cyberwarfare and disinformation heavily.
2015 – Syrian Conflict
Russia intervened in Syria, blending military force, private military companies (e.g., Wagner Group), propaganda, and diplomatic manipulation.
Russia portrayed itself as fighting “terrorism” while targeting opposition forces.
2016 – U.S. Presidential Election Interference
Russian intelligence agencies (GRU, FSB) engaged in cyberattacks, hacked emails, social media manipulation, and disinformation campaigns.
This was a major hybrid campaign aiming to sow distrust and division.
2017 – NotPetya Cyberattack
Originating from Russia and targeting Ukraine, the NotPetya malware spread globally, crippling companies and infrastructure.
Disguised as ransomware but actually destructive sabotage.
2018 – Skripal Poisoning in the UK
Russian operatives used a banned nerve agent in an assassination attempt.
Propaganda and diplomatic misinformation campaigns followed to confuse attribution.
Blending covert action, deniability, and information distortion.
2020 – Belarus Protests
Russia supported Belarusian regime of Lukashenko against widespread protests.
Information campaigns, security force support, and diplomatic pressure were combined.
2022 – Full-scale Invasion of Ukraine
Initially framed as a “special military operation” to “de-Nazify” Ukraine.
Involved military invasion, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, economic blackmail (like gas supply threats), and the use of mercenary groups.
Continued narrative warfare domestically and internationally.
2022–2025 – Global Disinformation and Influence Campaigns
Russia expanded its hybrid toolkit:
Artificial amplification of anti-Western narratives globally.
Building alliances with other disinformation actors (e.g., Iran, China).
Using energy markets, food supply disruptions, and cyberattacks as pressure points.
Strengthening alternative media ecosystems (like RT, Sputnik, Telegram channels) to bypass bans in Europe and elsewhere.
Emergence of AI-driven propaganda (deepfakes, AI-generated fake news).