Ukraine Denies Russian Claims of Booby-Trapped Fallen Soldiers

Russian military propaganda has escalated with new unsubstantiated claims about Ukrainian forces allegedly mining the bodies of their fallen soldiers, according to a recent statement from Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation.

In an alert posted to their official Telegram channel, the Center highlighted that Russian sources are circulating accounts from an unnamed Russian soldier who claims their forces “do not inspect the bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers because they are 99.9% mined.” The propagandists further allege that Ukrainian troops booby-trap personal items belonging to the deceased.

The Center categorically dismissed these allegations as fabrications, emphasizing that no photographic, video, or documentary evidence exists to support such claims. Officials described the narrative as part of a broader disinformation campaign designed to both discredit the Ukrainian military and demoralize Ukrainian society amid the ongoing conflict.

“Russia regularly spreads such fabrications,” the Center stated. “These fakes are meant to create a negative image of the Ukrainian army as one that ‘doesn’t respect even its own,’ while also serving to justify the war crimes of Russian forces.”

This disinformation tactic appears consistent with Russia’s long-established strategy of creating false narratives to justify its actions or deflect attention from documented violations. Security analysts note that such claims serve multiple propaganda purposes, including attempts to portray Ukrainian forces as desperate and immoral while simultaneously providing cover for Russian troops’ reluctance to handle enemy casualties according to international protocols.

The Center emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to international humanitarian law, stating that Ukrainian forces do not employ prohibited warfare methods. In contrast, they pointed out that Russian troops have been documented mining civilian infrastructure—violations confirmed by both Ukrainian authorities and independent international organizations.

Mines and explosive devices have become a critical humanitarian concern across Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The United Nations and other international bodies have documented extensive mining of civilian areas by Russian forces, creating hazards that will endanger civilians for years to come. Ukraine is now considered one of the most heavily mined territories in the world, with clearance operations expected to take decades.

This isn’t the first time Russian propaganda has attempted to paint Ukrainian forces in a negative light. On October 8, the Center for Countering Disinformation reported another disinformation campaign claiming Ukrainian soldiers near Kupiansk had refused to fight due to lack of food and water—another claim lacking credible evidence.

Information warfare has been a significant component of Russia’s strategy throughout the conflict, with coordinated disinformation campaigns targeting both domestic Russian audiences and international observers. These campaigns typically blend completely fabricated claims with selective truths to create narratives that serve military and political objectives.

International fact-checking organizations continue to track and debunk such claims, though Russian-controlled media channels and social media accounts ensure these narratives reach receptive audiences despite their lack of substantiation.

Military experts suggest that as battlefield conditions evolve, the nature and focus of Russian propaganda adapt accordingly—often intensifying when Russian forces face setbacks or when international attention focuses on documented Russian violations of international law.