According to HUR, the Russian secret service is trying to develop its deepfake capabilities. Based on artificial intelligence, this technique creates fake videos or fake recordings of famous people saying things they didn’t actually say.
The Russians attempted to connect with Bayraktar using this technique, posing as Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal – Ukrinform reported, citing the HUR statement. Bayraktar is the head of the Turkish company Baykar, which produces Bayraktar drones.
Instead of the expected conversation with Bayraktar, Russian provocateurs posing as Shmyhal were put in touch with a Ukrainian intelligence agent who claimed to be Bayraktar’s press officer. He asked them a question: “What happened to the Crimean Bridge?”, in reference to the explosion on Saturday.
“Soon you will be punished. We will find you everywhere” – said the Ukrainian intelligence officer. “See you in jail.
Ukrainian military intelligence believes that the purpose of the unsuccessful provocation was to discredit Ukrainian-Turkish cooperation. Baykar plans to build a combat drone factory in Ukraine.
In August, the chairman of a Turkish drone manufacturer told the BBC that there is no amount for which Bayraktar would sell its products to Russia. At the same time, he stressed that the company fully supports Ukraine in the conflict, which is the victim of an “unjust, unjustified and aggressive attack”.
