Millions of Ukrainians are encountering Russian propaganda every day. It spreads through TV, radio, media, social networks and by word of mouth. To defeat the enemy, we must fight it on all fronts. To this end, we have prepared a daily compilation of Russian fakes.
Today, the russian information space is focused on the new offensive in Donbas. Stories about spectacular victories and total destruction of Ukrainian forces are in the forefront. Kremlin had addressed the economy – putin in his latest speech had assured the russian populace that everything is fine, a contrast to the report from the head of the Central Bank of russia, which was grim and pessimistic. The main point of the speech – sanctions against russia hurt Europe more than russia. There are many stories about potential prisoner exchange. It seems that russia, contrary to the official statements, wants to get its hands on Medvedchuk, but is trying to lower the price.
Main fake narratives:
- Ukraine is being controlled by the west
- Russians don’t commit war crimes, Ukrainians do
- Ukrainian refugees are causing crime and spreading disease
- Sanctions against Russia are destroying Europe
- The world is dominated by russophobia
FAKE: Ukraine is behind the attacks on Kharkiv
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Disproof:
After the recent shelling of the Kharkiv city center, which killed five civilians, russia, as usual, accused Ukraine of attacking the city. To be clear, according to russia, all the attacks against Ukrainian cities were made not by the attacking russian forces, but by the Ukrainian defenders. Why would the Ukrainian army attack its cities? Because, according to russia, Ukraine is evil.
So, after attacking Ukrainian civilians, russia always blames Ukraine. This probably works for the russian population, who are surrounded by russian propaganda on all sides, and it most likely serves to create confusion and divert attention outside russia, but any rational person should dismiss these fakes at a first glance.
FAKE: Ukraine and NATO are preparing false-flag operations against churches on Ukrainian territory
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Disproof:
Once again, we see the usual russian tactic: accuse your enemy of something that you plan to do yourself. A couple of days ago, russia had warned that Ukraine was planning an attack on Lozova, a vital transport hub for civilian evacuation in Donbas region. Yesterday, russian MoD proudly proclaimed that it had successfully bombarded Lozova, now a “vital Ukrainian military hub” (see picture below).
We can see that russia is planning a new war crime, for which it is already accusing Ukraine and NATO. In the minds of russian propagandists, this is a foolproof plan that will demoralize Ukrainians and discredit Ukraine and its allies. But at this point, nobody really believes anything that comes out of russia, especially something as idiotic as this fake.
FAKE: Turkish citizens were freed by russian soldiers from Nazi captivity
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Disproof:
Around 30 Turkish citizens were sheltering in the Mariupol mosque. All attempts to evacuate them were blocked by russian forces. Invaders repeatedly bombed the mosque and the surrounding areas in the weeks the city was besieged. Russian propaganda claims that all defenders of Mariupol are Nazis, as they do with everyone who opposes russian invasion of Ukraine. The only people who hold anyone hostage in Mariupol are russian soldiers, who disrupted countless evacuation attempts and kept civilians trapped in the city without food and water.
So, no, russians did not save Turkish citizens from captivity. They just finally decided to let them go, after multiple requests from Turkish President Recep Erdoğan.
Be advised: Russia is waging a full-scale information war against Ukraine. There are multitudes of new fakes swarming through the mass-media every day. To protect you and your family, be sure to obtain and share your information only from official sources.
Official information channels:
· Office of the President of Ukraine
· General Staff of Ukrainian Armed Forces
· Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
· Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
· Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
· Ministry of Internal Affairs
· State Emergency Service of Ukraine
· State Border Guard Service of Ukraine
· Centre for Strategic Communication
· Centre for Desinformation Resistance
· State Special Communications Service of Ukraine
Information about transportation and infrastructure:
· State Agency of Automobile Roads of Ukraine
· Boryspil International Airport”
· Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority
· Danylo Halytskyi International Airport Lviv
· State Service of Ukraine for Transport Safety
Keep calm and trust only official sources. Ukraine will prevail!
The material was prepared by ZMiST. Please follow ZMiST on Twitter and Facebook.
