Story perspectives

Russian bots fuel pro-separatist push for Alberta referendum

By Drooid · Oct 17, 2026, 2:13 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Foreign influence campaigns target Alberta’s October 19 independence referendum.
University of Regina researchers found 80% of online posts linked to Russian bots.
U.S. sources accounted for 24% of influence posts in late September, up from 20% earlier.
American podcasters, right-wing pundits and influencers amplified pro-separatist narratives online.
AI-generated deepfake videos falsely showing University of Alberta students were posted and later removed.

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Story summary

Foreign influence campaigns target Alberta’s October 19 independence referendum.
University of Regina researchers found 80% of online posts linked to Russian bots.
U.S. sources accounted for 24% of influence posts in late September, up from 20% earlier.
American podcasters, right-wing pundits and influencers amplified pro-separatist narratives online.
AI-generated deepfake videos falsely showing University of Alberta students were posted and later removed.