What happened and why it matters
The Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) recorded another information attack against the backdrop of the XXV Winter Olympic Games in Italy. Russian outlets circulated a fabricated TV report presented as material from the Canadian broadcaster CBC. Tampered footage and an artificial voice created the illusion that Ukrainian athletes had been deliberately moved because of their “inadequate behavior” — claims that are not mentioned at all in the original CBC piece.
How the fake worked
According to the CCD, propagandists used a real CBC video clip, replaced parts of the footage and overlaid an artificially generated voice imitating a journalist. That combination — real visual cues plus a trustworthy-sounding voiceover — makes the fake more convincing to a broad audience.
"This report is a falsification. In the original CBC material the journalist does not mention Ukraine or Ukrainian athletes"
— Center for Countering Disinformation
Why they do it
The Olympic Games are an event with heightened media and public attention, so any disinformation has the potential to spread quickly. According to experts in countering disinformation, the goal of such operations is to undermine international support for Ukraine by discrediting its citizens and athletes in the international media space. Using an external brand (CBC) and technologies (AI voiceover) gives the fake visual and vocal legitimacy.
"Such forgeries work on reputation: when a source looks familiar, people check information less"
— expert in countering disinformation (anonymous for safety)
Facts about the performances of Ukrainian athletes
While political manipulations spread online, our athletes continue to compete on the slopes and tracks: Annamari Dancha did not advance to the 1/8 finals in snowboarding, Anastasiia Shepilenko finished 32nd in alpine skiing, and the biathlon team placed 8th in the mixed relay. These results are dry facts that need no speculation and are more important than informational provocations.
What to do next
This case is a reminder for the public and partners: check sources, do not share materials without verification, and support the work of fact-checkers. For the state and sports organizations it is a signal to strengthen communication and digital hygiene during mass events. Technical tools (video verification, audio analysis) and diplomatic complaints against distributors are priority steps in response.
Conclusion
This fake is part of a systematic campaign of discreditation. It does not change the athletes’ actual results, but it can affect perceptions of Ukraine abroad. The question is not whether we can debunk a single clip — the question is about systematic work by our partners and the media space so that such manipulations do not become a source of trust for an international audience.
