February 27, 2026
OpenAI blocks network of accounts linked to the Russian pro-war Telegram channel “Rybar”
ChatGPT developer OpenAI recently announced that it had blocked a network of accounts linked to the Russian pro-war Telegram channel Rybar
TL;DR
- OpenAI blocked a network of accounts linked to the Russian pro-war Telegram channel Rybar.
- The accounts used ChatGPT to create content for pro-Kremlin social media channels, with some text appearing on Rybar's platforms.
- The group was described as a 'likely Russia-origin content farm' using AI for disinformation.
- One user generated promotional videos using OpenAI's Sora model.
- Content was produced in Russian, English, and Spanish, including English comments posted on Telegram and Twitter.
- OpenAI's operation to block the accounts was named 'Fish Food'.
- The chatbot was used to edit an election interference proposal for Africa, discussing on-the-ground and online activities.
- Prompts also covered information campaigns in the Democratic Republic of Congo, electoral processes in Burundi and Cameroon, and campaign options in Madagascar.
- The chatbot was asked to translate a list of services for unnamed clients, including managing social media accounts and running a bilingual 'investigative journalism' website focused on Africa.
- ChatGPT was used to create advertising materials for 'REST Media,' linked to Rybar.
- Generated content typically praised Russia and its allies, criticized Ukraine, and accused Western countries of foreign interference.
- Rybar is a large pro-war project with over 1.5 million subscribers on its Telegram channel.
- Rybar's founder, Mikhail Zvinchuk, is a former employee of the Russian Ministry of Defense's press service.
- The U.S. offered a reward for information about Rybar's employees.
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