A network of Russian accounts targeting US audiences is currently posting heavily about Keith Ellison, member of congress and deputy chair of the DNC. Why would Russia care about an in-state race in Minnesota? Here's what we're seeing... 
In recent weeks, we've seen many accounts connect accusations of sexual assault against Brett Kavanaugh with accusations of domestic abuse against Keith Ellison, calling out democrats for allegedly treating Kavanaugh's accusations more seriously than Ellison's.
This is not a narrative that originates in Russia — most of these narratives don't. It is a common right-wing narrative that the Russians have been amplifying. That amplification has scaled up significantly in the past week.
The Russians seem keen to go beyond just the 2018 midterms, though. They are routinely connecting Kavanaugh's accusations to accusations of abuse that have been leveled against likely 2020 presidential contenders like Cory Booker.
We're also seeing Russia amplifying messages that call out other potential 2020 candidates for impropriety or hypocrisy, such as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. It's clear that they are not done seeking to influence the American democratic process.
Russia has routinely backed right-wing parties through their influence operations in the US, UK, and Europe. The democrats' stance on Kavanaugh gives Russia, and the US right-wing, a foothold to call out perceived hypocrisy on the American left.
It also gives Russia an opportunity to direct Americans' attention inward, away from Russia's geopolitical aims, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. This was one of their primary tactics in their operations leading up to the 2016 presidential election, too.
Russia is also amplifying messages that recall rape accusations against Bill Clinton ("Juanita Broaddrick" is currently trending among Russian accounts) and sexual impropriety by Ted Kennedy. They are using the Kavanaugh moment to pick at any (democrat) sore spots they can.
These are not narratives that originate in Russia, and for the most part, they are not "fake news". One of Russia's primary tactics is "weaponized truth" — amplifying the narratives that suit their ends, while drawing our attention away from the narratives that don't.
So while we can't dismiss the narratives or accusations simply because Russia amplifies them, we must also ask:
**What are they trying to draw our attention away from?**
From Syria to Crimea to Sweden to Brexit, there are many possibilities.
**What are they trying to draw our attention away from?**
From Syria to Crimea to Sweden to Brexit, there are many possibilities.
Social media is designed to manipulate our attention, even to be addictive. The Russians know how to "hack" that system to suit their aims. It will take work on all of our parts to gain that information integrity back.
