MISLEADING CLAIMS OF RUSSIAN ADVANCES IN KHERSON QUICKLY DEBUNKED

Ukrainian military units have swiftly refuted Russian claims of territorial gains on the right bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region, the latest instance in an ongoing pattern of disinformation about battlefield advances.

The Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) and the Ukrainian Navy initially reported that Russian forces had claimed to capture territory on the Ukrainian-controlled side of the Dnipro River. However, the 34th Marine Coastal Defense Brigade quickly released video evidence showing Ukrainian soldiers maintaining positions in the exact areas Russia claimed to have seized.

“Russian forces cannot cross the river or establish a foothold on Kherson’s right bank,” the brigade stated firmly in their response. They emphasized that the territory remains securely under the control of Ukraine’s Defense Forces, contradicting Russian narratives of a successful river crossing operation.

Military analysts note that the Dnipro River has served as a natural dividing line between Ukrainian and Russian forces in the Kherson region since Ukrainian troops recaptured the western bank during their counteroffensive in November 2022. The river, one of Europe’s largest, presents a significant obstacle for any attempted crossing, especially under fire from defending forces.

This incident represents the latest in what Ukrainian officials describe as a systematic campaign of disinformation about the situation in the Kherson region. On October 21, similar false claims circulated about Russian breakthroughs on the right bank, which Ukrainian forces dismissed, clarifying that Russian units had merely “secured” positions within the riverbed itself but failed to establish any meaningful presence on the Ukrainian-controlled shore.

“The pattern is clear and predictable,” said a Ukrainian defense ministry spokesperson who requested anonymity due to security concerns. “When Russia faces setbacks elsewhere, they often fabricate ‘victories’ to boost morale and distract from failures.”

The Kherson region, partially occupied by Russia since the early days of the full-scale invasion in 2022, remains a strategically vital area for both sides. Control of the Dnipro’s right bank allows Ukrainian forces to prevent further Russian advances toward Mykolaiv and potentially threaten Russian supply lines to occupied Crimea.

Information warfare has become an increasingly prominent aspect of the conflict, with both sides recognizing the importance of shaping public perception of battlefield developments. However, the rapid debunking of false claims has become more efficient as Ukrainian units employ video evidence to counter Russian narratives in near-real time.

“This immediate response with visual evidence demonstrates how battlefield transparency has evolved,” explained Dr. Marta Keane, a disinformation researcher at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab. “Just a few years ago, false claims might circulate for days before being refuted. Now, the window for disinformation to take hold has narrowed significantly.”

The Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation continues to monitor Russian media and official channels for similar falsified claims, which they say have increased in frequency as Russian forces struggle to make substantive territorial gains in recent months.

Military observers point out that while Russia continues to press attacks in eastern Ukraine, particularly around Avdiivka and parts of Donetsk region, their operations in the Kherson direction have largely stalled since Ukrainian forces recaptured the regional capital city in late 2022.

As winter approaches, analysts expect both sides to continue positioning for advantage while navigating increasingly difficult weather conditions that typically slow major offensive operations in the region.