Russian forces have not encircled Kupiansk, despite the circulation of fabricated videos on social media platforms claiming otherwise, according to Ukrainian officials.

Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, operating under the National Security and Defense Council, has identified a series of artificial intelligence-generated videos spreading across TikTok that falsely claim Russian troops have “completely encircled Kupiansk,” a strategically important city in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.

The fake videos feature computer-generated imagery of individuals posing as Ukrainian soldiers, who describe a supposedly “critical situation” in the Kupiansk sector of the front line. These fabricated clips are part of an orchestrated Russian disinformation campaign designed to undermine Ukrainian morale, officials say.

“These videos are clear fabrications created using artificial intelligence technology,” the Ukrainian agency stated in a Telegram post. The center noted that the deception can be easily identified through several telltale signs, including unnatural facial expressions and monotone, synthetic-sounding voices typical of AI-generated content.

Language errors also betray the videos’ inauthenticity. The center highlighted that the AI-generated “soldiers” incorrectly pronounce “Kupiansk,” placing stress on the wrong syllable—a mistake unlikely to be made by actual Ukrainian military personnel familiar with the location.

The disinformation effort comes as fighting in the Kupiansk area remains intense. The city, which was liberated by Ukrainian forces in September 2022 during a successful counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region, has been under renewed pressure from Russian forces in recent months as Moscow attempts to regain lost territory.

Military analysts note that control of Kupiansk is strategically significant due to its position as a railway hub that serves as a key logistics point for military operations in eastern Ukraine. The city’s recapture would represent a symbolic and tactical victory for Russian forces.

The Ukrainian military maintains that despite heavy fighting, its troops continue to hold defensive positions around Kupiansk, effectively repelling Russian advance attempts. “Claims of encirclement are completely false. Our forces are holding back Russian troops in the area,” the Center for Countering Disinformation affirmed.

This incident illustrates the evolving nature of information warfare in the ongoing conflict. As digital manipulation technologies become more sophisticated and accessible, distinguishing authentic battlefield reports from fabricated content grows increasingly challenging for both the general public and international observers.

“Russian fakes are becoming more sophisticated by the day,” warned the Ukrainian agency. “It’s essential for people to verify information sources and approach sensational social media content with a critical eye.”

Digital security experts emphasize that this type of targeted disinformation represents a growing front in modern warfare, where perceptions can influence military operations, civilian morale, and international support.

The spread of these fabricated videos on TikTok is particularly concerning given the platform’s popularity among younger demographics and its algorithm-driven content distribution, which can rapidly amplify sensational claims regardless of their veracity.

Ukrainian authorities continue to monitor social media platforms for similar disinformation campaigns and urge citizens and international observers to rely on official military reports and verified news sources for accurate information about battlefield developments.

This incident is not isolated, as Ukrainian officials have previously reported other Russian-orchestrated disinformation campaigns on social media platforms, including efforts to promote narratives calling for “peace at any cost” that would potentially favor Russian territorial claims.