FALSE
A deepfake video showing UK PM Keir Starmer announcing emergency curfews was a complete fabrication traced to Russian influence operation Storm-1516. Full Fact quickly debunked the video, noting audio-visual inconsistencies. No such announcement was made. The UK government confirmed the video was fake.
In 2025, a deepfake video purporting to show Prime Minister Keir Starmer announcing curfews in response to civil unrest spread on social media. Full Fact identified the video as AI-generated within hours. NewsGuard and Microsoft linked the video's production and distribution to Storm-1516, a Russian influence operation. The video was designed to inflame tensions during a period of social unrest in the UK. Government officials explicitly denied the claims in the video.
The Fake Video
The video showed what appeared to be Starmer at a podium announcing emergency curfews and martial law measures [1].
It spread rapidly on Telegram and X/Twitter during a period of genuine social tension in the UK [5].
Detection and Debunking
Full Fact identified multiple AI manipulation markers: lip-sync issues, unnatural blinking, and audio inconsistencies [1].
The UK government issued an immediate denial, confirming no such announcement had been made [4].
Russian Attribution
NewsGuard traced the video's first appearance to Telegram channels associated with Storm-1516 [2].
Microsoft's Threat Intelligence Center confirmed the operation's signature in the video's production and distribution pattern [7].
Conclusion
The Starmer curfew video was a sophisticated deepfake produced by Russian state-linked actors to inflame tensions in the UK. Rapid debunking by Full Fact and government denial limited its impact. The case demonstrates both the threat of political deepfakes and the importance of quick fact-checker response.