According to researchers, Russian influencers on Twitter purposely amplified disinformation about the government’s response to Hurricane Ian in an effort to sow division in the United States. The researchers found that Russian accounts pushed exaggerated claims about food and water shortages, power outages, and other issues in the aftermath of the hurricane. The goal was to make Americans question the competence of their government and institutions. The disinformation campaign also aimed to pit Americans against each other by amplifying partisan grievances and conspiracy theories related to the hurricane response. The researchers noted that while the Russian accounts did not create the original false narratives, they helped spread and amplify the disinformation to a wider audience. This effort is part of Russia’s broader strategy to weaken the United States through information warfare and exploit societal divisions.