This attack is a lame attempt at......Psychological Warfare to try to "influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes, and behavior of opposition groups". That definition from RAND. Or this one: attempts to "mislead, intimidate, demoralize, or otherwise influence the thinking or behaviour of an enemy". To me, there is no doubt what this is about. Finally, " the aim is to use manipulative tactics to intimidate or persuade a person or people through statements that are false or exaggerated and is deliberately spread to influence the masses".