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Russian disinformation campaigns targeting Kupiansk intensified this week as propagandists continue spreading false narratives about alleged Ukrainian military misconduct in the eastern city, according to Ukraine’s official disinformation watchdog.
The Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), operating under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, issued an alert about a coordinated Russian effort to fabricate stories about “atrocities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces” in the strategically important Kharkiv region city.
Russian media outlets and social networks have been circulating videos and publications accusing Ukrainian Defense Forces of “shelling civilians and persecuting civilians,” the CCD reported. Analysis of these materials revealed they rely heavily on manipulation tactics, including staged footage, video clips deliberately taken out of context, and coerced “testimonies” from residents in temporarily occupied territories.
“This disinformation campaign has clear strategic objectives,” a CCD spokesperson explained. “The Kremlin aims to tarnish the reputation of the Ukrainian military, erode trust among Ukrainian citizens in their own armed forces, and shift responsibility for documented Russian war crimes onto Ukraine.”
The timing of this propaganda push appears significant, coming shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Kupiansk, a city that has been a focal point of fighting in eastern Ukraine. Despite the presidential visit demonstrating Ukrainian government presence in the area, Russian state media continues insisting to domestic audiences that Russia maintains “full control” of Kupiansk.
Military analysts note that control of Kupiansk has fluctuated throughout the conflict, with the city holding particular strategic value due to its position as a key logistics hub in the region. Ukrainian forces recaptured Kupiansk in September 2022 during a successful counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region, though Russian forces have repeatedly attempted to regain control of the city since then.
The latest disinformation push follows a pattern of similar campaigns documented by Ukrainian officials, including previous false claims about the “complete capture” of Kupiansk by Russian forces, as reported earlier by Ukrainian News agency.
International observers familiar with Russian information warfare tactics point out that such disinformation campaigns typically intensify around areas of active combat where territorial control remains contested or following Ukrainian diplomatic or military successes.
“These fabricated narratives serve multiple purposes in Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy,” explained a European intelligence analyst who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of their work. “They create confusion about battlefield realities, provide cover for Russian military setbacks, and attempt to undermine Western support for Ukraine by presenting Ukrainian forces as morally compromised.”
The CCD continues to monitor and debunk such false narratives as part of Ukraine’s broader efforts to combat Russian information warfare. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly called on international partners and media organizations to exercise heightened scrutiny when reporting on claims originating from Russian sources about the situation in contested areas.
As the conflict approaches its third year, both military analysts and disinformation experts warn that information warfare remains a critical component of Russia’s strategy against Ukraine, with targeted campaigns likely to continue focusing on strategically significant locations like Kupiansk.
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7 Comments
It’s disappointing but not unexpected that Russia is resorting to propaganda and disinformation to discredit Ukraine’s forces. Their goal is to undermine public confidence and shift blame. We must be wary of such tactics.
Absolutely. Fact-checking and media literacy are so important to counter this kind of coordinated misinformation campaign.
The Kremlin’s strategy of tarnishing Ukraine’s reputation and eroding public trust is deeply concerning. We must remain vigilant and not let their propaganda distort the facts on the ground.
This disinformation campaign is a worrying escalation in Russia’s information warfare. I hope the international community continues to call out and counter these manipulative tactics wherever they appear.
I agree. Fact-based, objective reporting is essential to cutting through the noise and understanding the true situation.
Russia’s use of staged footage and coerced testimonies is a transparent attempt to fabricate a false narrative. It’s crucial that we rely on credible, verified information sources to understand the situation in Kupiansk.
Unsurprising to see Russia continue peddling false narratives about Ukraine’s military actions. They’ll stop at nothing to distort the truth and sow discord. It’s crucial we stay vigilant and fact-check claims carefully.