Russia Exploits Ukrainian Mobilization Efforts Through Propaganda Campaign

Russian disinformation targets Ukraine’s mobilization efforts with false claims and fear tactics

A false claim that “Ukraine has legalized shooting draft officers” spread rapidly across Russian media in recent weeks, representing the latest in a series of disinformation campaigns targeting Ukraine’s military mobilization system.

The fabricated story alleged that Ukraine’s Supreme Court had issued a ruling allowing citizens to use deadly force against employees of Territorial Recruitment Centers (TCCs). Russian outlets described it as a “historic verdict” that supposedly gave Ukrainians the legal right to resist being “hunted” by their own military.

Fact-checkers at the StopFake project quickly debunked the claim, confirming no such ruling exists in Ukraine’s official court registry. The Supreme Court does not have the authority to legalize violence against military personnel.

“Mobilization during war is inevitable, but it’s also extremely sensitive,” explained Yulia Yurkova, co-creator of StopFake, in an interview with the Kyiv Independent. “The enemy seeks to break not just the military’s morale, but the spirit of the population behind it. And the success of the armed forces depends directly on the mobilization process.”

According to Yurkova, Russia shifted its information warfare strategy in April 2022 after realizing its blitzkrieg had failed. “It switched to a long-term campaign of information exhaustion,” she said.

What makes these disinformation campaigns particularly effective is their foundation in partial truths. Ukraine’s mobilization process does face legitimate challenges, including isolated cases of misconduct by TCC staff and individuals evading service through bribery or falsified documents.

“These campaigns are effective because they’re rooted in half-truths,” Yurkova noted. “There are isolated incidents, and Russia presents them as a systemic problem, launching a multi-channel disinformation campaign.”

The line between legitimate criticism and harmful disinformation becomes blurred when isolated cases are exaggerated or presented without proper context. “Criticism of a specific incident is normal in a free society. But when a single episode is presented as proof that ‘the entire system is criminal,’ it is very likely already part of a hostile information attack,” Yurkova explained.

As a democratic society, Ukraine needs open discussion about problems within its systems. When such conversations are suppressed, disinformation quickly fills the void, according to experts. The false Supreme Court ruling is just one element in a broader campaign targeting both Ukrainian and international audiences.

To reinforce their messaging, these operations rely heavily on visual and emotional manipulation, now more easily generated with artificial intelligence technologies.

A disinformation monitoring team at LetsData told the Kyiv Independent that social media narratives frequently paint Ukrainian mobilization as increasingly coercive, highlighting alleged forced conscription and public resistance.

According to the analysts, two of the most common disinformation tactics are fear and dehumanization, portraying mobilization as a violent, lawless process and depicting the Ukrainian state as a threat to its own people.

“Mobilization turns into a form of violence. Individuals are portrayed as mere resources to be exploited rather than citizens with rights,” LetsData reported.

The consequences of these campaigns have occasionally spilled over into real-world violence. Yurkova pointed to the example of Ostap Stakhiv, who coordinated a large network of followers spreading disinformation about the supposed “illegality” of mobilization and the “unconstitutionality” of martial law.

“This disinformation created a discursive environment that led to physical aggression,” Yurkova said, referring to an incident in the western Ukrainian village of Kosmach in February 2024, when false rumors allegedly spread by Russia’s Federal Security Service led to rioting and violence.

For all the controversy surrounding mobilization, the fundamental reality remains unchanged: Ukraine cannot sustain its defense without it. With Russia’s numerical advantage, mobilization will likely remain both necessary and a target for Russian disinformation for the foreseeable future.

“The enemy outnumbers us many times over. We’re fighting a war of endurance. Mobilization is inevitable,” said Vitalii Sarantsev, a former communication officer for the military. “It brings in the largest number of people eligible for military service. So far, it remains the most productive way to strengthen the army.”

Ukraine has attempted to address some concerns by establishing recruitment centers where individuals can choose their preferred unit and match service to their skills. In February 2025, the government introduced a new model of voluntary military service known as ‘Contract 18-24,’ offering significant financial incentives to attract young people.

“These are the realities of a long war,” Sarantsev concluded. “Ukraine needs to update legislation, introduce new contract types, create better motivation systems — these are the challenges our society faces now.”