Kremlin spreading disinformation on soldier exchanges to discredit Ukraine

Russian propagandists have launched a large-scale information operation this week, falsely claiming that Ukraine is refusing to conduct exchanges of prisoners and fallen soldiers—allegedly involving 6,000 bodies. According to Ukrainian military and political observer Oleksandr Kovalenko, this is part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting Ukraine on the international stage.

Kovalenko explains that Russia is “manipulating public information, distorting it, and presenting it in a deliberately negative light.” He stresses that the exchange process is still ongoing, and that "the exchange was never planned for today, yesterday, or even two or three days ago. It is scheduled only after the lists are finalized—likely next week."

He also clarifies that the often-cited figure of 6,000 bodies is a rough and unverified estimate of casualties on both sides, but Russia is presenting it solely as Ukrainian losses. “In reality, Russia is trying to use this figure to fabricate a narrative of overwhelming Ukrainian battlefield losses, which simply doesn't hold up under scrutiny,” Kovalenko says.

As part of its information warfare, Russia has launched a multi-layered campaign around several central narratives:

• That Ukraine is violating agreements reached in Istanbul and is incapable of constructive diplomacy;
• That Ukraine is sabotaging the exchange because it cannot hide its allegedly massive losses—at claimed ratios of 1:15 or even 1:17;
• That Ukraine is avoiding the exchange to avoid paying compensation to families of the deceased, a cost Russian sources absurdly estimate at over $2 billion, potentially pushing Ukraine toward default.

“These are outright fabrications,” Kovalenko emphasizes. “Such casualty ratios have no basis in reality. If the Ukrainian army had suffered these numbers, it would have ceased to exist by now—according to Russia’s own logic.”

He adds that the claim about financial compensation is an example of "mirror imaging"—a projection of Russia’s own practices. “The Russian command often leaves its dead behind, labeling them as missing to avoid compensating their families. This also applies to foreign mercenaries and migrant fighters, whose bodies are routinely abandoned,” he notes.

Kovalenko points out that Russia has turned the Istanbul negotiation platform—originally intended for facilitating exchanges—into a theater for disinformation. “Just like it did with PACE or the UN, Russia is using international platforms to push fake narratives, not genuine diplomacy.”

He warns that future Istanbul-based talks are likely to be exploited in similar ways: “Russia’s participation in any negotiation process is almost always a pretext for manipulation. It's a pattern we’ve seen over and over again.”

In conclusion, Kovalenko urges Ukrainians and the international community to maintain a critical mindset: “Ukraine has always prioritized bringing its heroes home—whether with a shield or on a shield. Russia remains the primary obstacle to this process, behaving not as a civilized state, but as a barbaric force that disrespects both the living and the dead.”