In probably the most unsurprising news ever, anonymous pro-Russian accounts used Elon Musk's new blue checkmark system to expand their reach while spreading anti-American propaganda after a train derailed and spilled toxic chemicals in Ohio last month. Some still think the blue checkmark gives a Twitter user credibility, but Musk ruined that. It only means you're a sucker because you pay $8.00 monthly for a pretty blue checkmark.

Via the Associated Press:

The accounts, which parroted Kremlin talking points on myriad topics, claimed without evidence that authorities in Ohio were lying about the true impact of the chemical spill. The accounts spread fearmongering posts that preyed on legitimate concerns about pollution and health effects and compared the response to the derailment with America's support for Ukraine following its invasion by Russia.

Some of the claims pushed by the pro-Russian accounts were verifiably false, such as the suggestion that the news media had covered up the disaster or that environmental scientists traveling to the site had been killed in a plane crash. But most were more speculative, seemingly designed to stoke fear or distrust. Examples include unverified maps showing widespread pollution, posts predicting an increase in fatal cancers and others about unconfirmed mass animal die-offs.

I'm sure you've seen some comments similar to this one:

"Biden offers food, water, medicine, shelter, payouts of pension and social services to Ukraine! Ohio first! Offer and deliver to Ohio!" posted one of the pro-Moscow accounts, which boasts 25,000 followers and features an anonymous location and a profile photo of a dog. Twitter awarded the account a blue check mark in January.

Musk is a font of misinformation:

Putin is the only person pushing this war, you billionaire douchebag. Russia must be so happy that Elon took over Twitter.