Russian Telegram channels are once again spreading disinformation about the war in Ukraine. This time, propagandists claim that Ukrainian artillery is shelling its own cities in Donetsk Oblast in order to blame Russia for the attacks.

Journalist Serhii Horbatenko spoke about this in a comment to Ukrainian Radio.

Claims about the “self-shelling” of Ukrainian cities are yet another baseless fake. It is known that such messages are spread through local Telegram channels, often citing so-called “eyewitnesses”.

In particular, a Telegram channel in the city of Kostiantynivka circulated information alleging shelling by Ukrainian forces from Druzhkivka. The post also attempted to justify the actions of Russian forces, claiming that “Russian pilots strike only military targets”.

In addition, hostile propaganda is actively promoting fakes about a “rapid offensive” in northern Donetsk Oblast—likely to create an illusion of a breakthrough and sow panic among the local population.

Information attacks about so-called “self-shelling” are a cynical attempt by Russia to shift responsibility for strikes on civilian infrastructure onto Ukraine.

Russian media, Telegram channels, and a network of bots on X are spreading another information hoax. This time, it is an alleged photo of Ukrainian first-grade students holding signs reading “1-A Azov” and “1-B Bayraktar”. In reality, this is a fake.

This was reported by Ukrinform.

In their posts, propagandists claim that Ukraine is supposedly “militarizing” children from primary school by naming classes after military units and weapons.

As fact-checkers determined using the AI or Not service, the image was created using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology.

AI systems are increasingly being used to create convincing but fake images, enabling Russian propaganda to launch such manipulative campaigns on social media.

The goal of these information injections is to discredit Ukraine’s education system and to create the image of a “militarized” nation in the eyes of the international community.

It is also worth noting that it is Russia that is in fact actively militarizing children in educational institutions, including in the occupied territories of Ukraine.