Kremlin-linked Matryoshka floods midterms with AI-cloned celeb videos and fake CNN branding

A Kremlin-backed operation known as Matryoshka is circulating doctored selfie videos that appear to feature AI-cloned voices of Hollywood stars, overlaid with unauthorized CNN branding to urge viewers to vote Republican in the U.S. midterms. The clips target Democrats and leverage bot networks and social media to sow distrust; researchers flagged the content, some platforms have removed it, and experts say the effort, while not yet virally successful, signals a continued Kremlin strategy to influence elections.