For round $340, actor Elijah Wood can document you a customized video wishing you content birthday. John McGinley, greatest identified for his position in medical TV present Scrubs, will provide you with a prolonged pep speak for round $475. Priscilla Presley will document a clip speaking about the whole lot from Christmas procuring to Graceland for round $200.

These celebrities all use the video-sharing platform Cameo to shortly snap do-it-yourself movies for followers who pay them for the honour. They could be seen celebrating anniversaries, calmly roasting individuals, or providing recommendation. This summer season, nevertheless, some movies have been weaponized by an unknown Russian group, which has crudely edited the clips and used them as a part of its wide-ranging data warfare techniques in opposition to Ukraine.

At least seven seemingly unaware celebrities, together with these listed above, have had their Cameo movies manipulated by pro-Russian actors to look as if they’re criticizing Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, in response to new Microsoft analysis revealed right now. The altered Cameo movies have been shared on social media then closely reported on by Russian government-owned or managed newspapers and TV channels, the analysis says.

The movies began showing in July and observe comparable patterns. “It’s at a regular interval,” says Clint Watts, the final supervisor of Microsoft Threat Analysis Center, which revealed the analysis in an replace on Russian data and cyber actions. “It’s a different actor or actress popping up saying a very similar script,” Watts says.

The movies typically see the superstar speaking to “Vladimir” and saying they need to get assist with attainable substance abuse. The movies are later edited to look as if the superstar have been addressing Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky—the Kremlin has consistently pushed disinformation calling Zelensky an addict. The movies can have emoji, hyperlinks, and social handles added to them earlier than they’re shared on social media.

The seven celebrities Microsoft highlights are actors Elijah Wood, John McGinley, Dean Norris, Kate Flannery, and Priscilla Presley; musician Shavo Odadjian; and boxer Mike Tyson. There isn’t any suggestion that the celebrities knew their movies could be edited or manipulated on this manner.

“I just want to make sure you are getting help,” Wood, the previous Lord of the Rings actor, seems to say within the video. The manipulated video has a Ukrainian flag, a social media deal with for Zelensky, and a hyperlink to a drug and alcohol analysis middle, and has been made to appear like it appeared on Instagram. The video has a number of jarring cuts all through and is evidently altered. “I hope you get the help that you need. Lots of love, Vladimir, take care,” Wood seemingly says on the finish of the footage. In one other video, Kate Flannery, who starred in The Office, seems to say, “You need to go to the rehab,” and that Vladimir deserves a great life.