A tragic stabbing on a Charlotte light rail has not only shocked the nation but also revealed a chilling connection to Russian disinformation operations.
Iryna Zarutska, 23, a Ukrainian refugee who fled the war in her homeland in 2022, was brutally killed on August 22.
The young woman had escaped the bombings in Ukraine hoping for safety in the United States—only to meet a violent end at the hands of a suspect identified as Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. Disturbing footage of the attack shows bystanders filming Zarutska bleeding rather than rushing to help her.
Social Media and Disinformation Come Into Play
Amid the tragedy, an undated photo of Zarutska began circulating online, shared by an X account named MyLordBebo.
The image shows Zarutska in a bedroom, with a ‘Black Lives Matter’ poster visible behind her.
The post captioned her as “the Ukrainian girl that was killed on the subway,” and it quickly went viral, attracting millions of views and intense reactions.
Government reports now link the MyLordBebo account to Storm-1516, a Russian disinformation operation known for spreading deepfake content and narratives designed to manipulate public opinion and target Ukraine.
Examining the Authenticity of the Image
The unverified photo appears to depict Zarutska holding her phone while lying on a bed, but experts caution that the origin and authenticity remain unclear.
While it was shared in a tribute album connected to her obituary, other images from her personal social media suggest the picture may have been taken at a different location.
Given that Zarutska only arrived in the U.S. in 2022, she could not have been involved in earlier U.S. protests associated with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Analysts say this makes it likely that the image is being used to push a narrative unrelated to her real-life experience.
Russian Disinformation Tactics Exploiting Tragedy
Dr. Lukasz Olejnik, a visiting senior research fellow at King’s College London, explains that Russian disinformation campaigns often exploit real tragedies to manipulate public perception.
“Using a tragic photo of a murdered Ukrainian refugee and linking it to charged symbols is consistent with known Russian information operations targeting the U.S.,” he said.
Olejnik warns that such manipulation is highly dangerous, intentionally deepening societal divisions and spreading confusion.
By injecting sensitive themes into unrelated events, Kremlin operatives can inflame tensions, erode trust, and distract from significant geopolitical issues—like Russia’s ongoing attacks in Ukraine.
Patterns in Russian Influence Operations
According to Ojenik, Russia follows a “standard playbook” for exploiting discontent.
During France’s Yellow Vest protests in 2018 and 2019, Russia-linked networks amplified unrest, while in June 2024, provocatively placed coffins near the Eiffel Tower claimed to represent “French soldiers of Ukraine.”
These operations often involve subtle manipulation: inserting pro-Russia or anti-Ukraine signs into real protests unrelated to Ukraine, snapping photos, and circulating them to falsely suggest mass support.
Storm-1516 and Its Goals
VIGINUM, the French agency tracking foreign interference, identifies MyLordBebo as part of Storm-1516.
The operation’s objectives include discrediting Ukraine, tarnishing its leaders, and undermining Russian opposition, including Western governments during elections.
Storm-1516 operatives are adept at adapting their narratives, creating deepfakes, and tailoring disinformation to different political contexts.
Their campaigns are designed to impact audiences across Europe and North America over the long term, using real-world tragedies like Zarutska’s murder to amplify their message.