Russians targeted Baltimore, Ferguson with Facebook ads during election: report

One of the thousands of political ads purchased by Russian groups during the 2016 campaign was a Black Lives Matter ad that targeted residents of Ferguson, Mo., and Baltimore, CNN reported Wednesday.

The ad, which reportedly ran on Facebook in late 2015 or early 2016, was designed to look as if it supported the Black Lives Matter movement.

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Some versions of the targeted ad would look threatening to the group, however, CNN reported.

Facebook revealed this month that Russian actors potentially linked to the Kremlin purchased $100,000 worth of political advertisements on the site during the 2016 presidential campaign. The social media site handed over information on the ads to Congress and to Robert Mueller, the special counsel conducting an investigation into Russian meddling in the election.

Other ads purchased by the Russian groups promoted gun rights. Still others warned against undocumented immigrants, according to CNN.

The Washington Post first reported Monday that the ads sought to exploit and inflame racial tensions by targeting groups like Black Lives Matter.