In the few instances English-language accounts focused on human rights, there was often a pro-Trump bent, such as amplifying conspiracies that the Biden administration trafficked migrant children.

This was most apparent when an outlet covered identical issues in both languages.

In the example below RT en Español posted a video of a crying refugee to emphasize despair. RT posted the same video but mocked refugees for “not making it in time”.

Spanish-language accounts across all themes posted more content that was critical of Trump’s border policies than their English-language counterparts. Similarly, English-language accounts across all themes posted more content that was supportive of the policies.

Russian influence actors also leveraged conspiracies to stoke further outrage, including echoing false claims that protesters were “paid” and claiming the demonstrations were “planned in advance” to initiate a Maidan revolution.

In one case, Sputnik even suggested that “pallets of bricks” were being dropped off at protest sites, amplifying an image that fact-checkers have proven isn’t even of LA.

Russian state media exploited the unrest in LA to slander Democrats, blaming them for creating an atmosphere of “lawlessness and chaos” and to paint protestors as violent.

In one case, Russian state media even amplified a misleading AI-generated image of the Hollywood sign on fire.

Russian accounts also echoed narratives prominent among American audiences that claim DEI and vaccines hindered recovery efforts.

Russian state media also honed in on reports that LAFD donated surplus equipment to Ukraine in 2022 to suggest that it created a lack of resources to fight the fires.

Russian state-affiliated accounts are exploiting the crisis to amplify claims that the US prioritizes the needs of Ukraine over Americans.

Sputnik claimed that victims of the fire are receiving less per day than Ukraine and Israel.