Part of the campaign was uncovered by Espreso.tv, in collaboration with the volunteer initiative InsightNews, during a study on the spread of Russian disinformation in EU media.

Since the Russian missile attack on Kyiv's Okhmatdyt children's hospital on July 8, pro-Kremlin media in the Czech Republic have been actively spreading disinformation about the attack. Biased reports have sought to manipulate the tragic event, which resulted in significant casualties and damage, in an attempt to promote Russian narratives in Europe and deflect blame from Russian forces.

Two people lost their lives when the Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital, Ukraine's largest pediatric facility known for cancer treatment and organ transplants, sustained severe damage due to a Russian missile strike.

Initially, Russia denied targeting the hospital, asserting that debris from a Ukrainian air defense missile struck it. Subsequently, various false reports followed, including claims that the Ukrainian troops were deployed in the hospital using children as shields and even alleging a planned operation by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to solicit more funding from Western countries.

The Czech pro-Kremlin media picked up the claims, spreading them to domestic audiences.

"I hate to say it, but..."

Czech media outlet Pokec24 starts its article with a loud statement.

“I hate to say it, but... Kyiv launched another provocation, announcing that Russian armed forces had attacked a children's hospital. However, the Ukrainian side, using an air defense missile, carried out the strike. Observers believe that after the attack on the hospital, 'many people will end up in the basement of the SBU (Secret Service of Ukraine).'”

The claim continues, "Video footage from the scene shows that an air defense missile of the Ukrainian Armed Forces damaged the building." Needless to say, they never provided any footage or other form of proof.

Instead, to substantiate these claims, the outlet cited the Stalin Strait Telegram channel's author, a pro-war Russian military blogger, and an X OSINT-account AMK Mapping, described as being "on Zelenskyy's side."

However, despite the account's claim to be pro-Ukrainian, its bio indicates criticism toward Zelenskyy. Furthermore, on the same day, the account posted a series of tweets apologizing and retracting, acknowledging evidence that Russia was responsible for the strike using a Kh-101 missile. The outlet failed to correct their initial statements and instead manipulated the narrative to suggest that even pro-Ukrainian sources support their false claims.

The outlet then cites the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, stating the attack is a “Jesuit PR operation for blood” staged by Ukraine “to create a backdrop for Volodymyr Zelenskyy's participation in the NATO summit.”

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, claimed that a missile from the Norwegian anti-aircraft missile system NASAMS caused damage at the Kyiv Okhmatdyt children's hospital. Zakharova asserted that a missile from the Ukrainian air defense system went off course and struck the hospital, a claim "corroborated by several witnesses."

"Ukrainian armed forces themselves are hiding behind civilian objects and even civilians," the outlet then alleges, forgetting to present any form of proof to substantiate the war crimes accusations.

Meanwhile, the independent investigative team at Bellingcat provided a detailed analysis that debunks the false claims. Their report includes comparisons of screenshots and pictures, along with photos of missile remnants found at the attack site. Other fact-checkers, OSINT analysts, such as GeoConfirmed, and official investigations have confirmed that a Russian Kh-101 missile indeed struck the children's hospital.

The Czech media outlet spreads Russian propaganda by framing its article to cast doubt on Ukraine's actions and selectively citing sources that support a pro-Russian narrative. It opens with a provocative statement undermining Ukrainian claims, then asserts that Ukrainian forces, not Russian ones, attacked a children's hospital, citing dubious sources like pro-Russian bloggers and Kremlin officials. It fails to correct misinformation and manipulates the narrative to suggest even pro-Ukrainian sources back their false claims. By ignoring credible evidence and international sources, the outlet amplifies a skewed view aligned with Russian interests, thereby spreading disinformation.

“Zelenskyy hides Ukrainian forces behind children's hospital”

Another Czech outlet, Nova Republika, starts by criticizing Ukraine for a request to attend a Security Council meeting, contrasting it with "normal" formal letters from European countries. This portrays Ukraine as disruptive and Russia as a reasonable defender of UN protocols, despite Russia's own controversial actions.

The article then moves on to promote conspiracy theories about Western motivations for supporting Ukraine.

"The Kyiv regime and its selected propagandists have been screaming for half a day that this is the targeted destruction of Ukraine and its civilians... by Russia, of course. However, when a video shows a NATO air defense missile hitting a hospital, the narrative shifts dramatically. The focus abruptly shifts away from the 'Russian missile,' leading to the revision of old reports. Although they are accurate on certain points—this is indeed a targeted destruction of Ukraine—Ukraine is being destroyed with the help of the Kyiv junta and various political puppets. All of this serves the interests of global puppeteers, who consider the destruction of Slavic nations a success and a cause for celebration among themselves."

The outlet fails to substantiate its claims with links or references to the articles it alleges have altered their positions. There is also a lack of evidence supporting the assertion that Western "puppeteers" are actively seeking the downfall of Slavic nations.

This approach extends to the following claims:

• The article lists numerous dates and locations where Ukrainian forces allegedly targeted hospitals and maternity wards in Donetsk and Luhansk, emphasizing civilian casualties caused by Ukrainian artillery and airstrikes.
• It also follows the previous Czech outlet mentioned above, which highlighted statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense and "military analysts" suggesting that Ukrainian air defenses, not Russian missiles, caused damage to civilian infrastructure in Kyiv.

Just as in the previous article, it relies heavily on statements from Russian officials and fake analysts to support its claims while dismissing or downplaying contrary evidence, such as video footage of missile impacts or international investigations pointing to Russian responsibility.

Also, both outlets adopt Russian propaganda terminology, referring to Ukraine and its authorities as “Kyiv junta," “Kyiv regime," “Zelenskyy’s land," etc.

The selective use of sources reinforces the article's narrative while ignoring evidence from independent sources or eyewitness accounts that contradict Russian claims without providing any proof to substantiate their own. It attempts to equate Ukrainian actions with deliberate Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure, minimizing or justifying Russian military actions and violations of humanitarian law.

Debunking fake information becomes increasingly challenging in the age of post-truth, as many falsehoods deliberately craft emotional responses rather than relying on factual accuracy. This emotional appeal often resonates more deeply with audiences, making them less critical of the information's veracity.

These actors exploit this vulnerability adeptly. They create and spread fabricated stories designed to provoke strong emotional reactions, such as fear, anger, or solidarity. These stories often reinforce existing biases or stoke division within targeted populations, further blurring the line between fact and fiction.