Russia launches fake news about Ukrainian counteroffensive - Ukraine’s Strategic Communications Directorate

StratCom reported the information on Telegram, June 5.

"Russian telegram channels and social networks are expected to flood with inaccurate information about the Ukrainian Armed Forces' combat operations. And their own formations," the post says. 

Russian propagandists have reportedly devised a plan to spread false information about the counteroffensive, its various directions, and the alleged losses of Ukrainian troops. Their intention is to demoralize Ukrainians and mislead the community. In pursuit of this goal, they have prepared old videos, photos, and other fabricated materials depicting damaged equipment, casualties, and captured soldiers. 

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry's Telegram channel reported that Ukrainian troops had "launched a large-scale offensive in five frontline areas in the South Donetsk sector on June 4." The report claimed that a total of six mechanized battalions and two tank battalions from the Ukrainian army were involved in the operation.

In addition, the propagandists stated that "the losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces amounted to more than 250 soldiers, 16 tanks, 3 infantry fighting vehicles, and 21 armored combat vehicles."

Remember that accurate and reliable information can only be obtained through official sources such as operational reports from the General Staff, strategic communications structures, and designated spokespersons of the Defense Forces and Armed Forces of Ukraine. 

• On May 20, Russia initiated a disinformation campaign by spreading false information about the alleged disappearance of Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It further claimed that Zaluzhnyi had sustained injuries and undergone skull trepanation. Ukraine's Ministry of Defense denied the fabrications.

• On May 25, Anatoliy Shtefan (Stirlitz) showed a video with the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi.