Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that a Ukrainian military sabotage group allegedly blew up a section of the Togliatti-Odesa pipeline that Russia was using to export ammonia. The authors add that toxic fumes allegedly covered the positions of the Ukrainian military: one was killed, several were poisoned, the rest of the military received orders to use gas masks in their positions. They also claim that the Ukrainian military is doing this on purpose. It is not true. 

The fact-checkers of the StopFake project drew attention to the case, they established that it was not a “sabotage group of Ukrainian military”, but the Russian military that damaged the pipe of the Togliatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline near the village of Masiutivka as a result of artillery shelling. This was stated in the Kharkiv police department. The head of the Regional Military Administration confirmed that the pipeline had been depressurized as a result of Russian strikes.

Also, the thesis about the death and poisoning of the military is a lie since later the Kharkiv police department came out with a statement that the situation with the release of ammonia in the Kupiansk district is fully controlled. Nothing threatens the life and health of people. After the night shelling, the safety valves at the station worked, and due to this, the leakage of ammonia was relatively insignificant. It was also reported that a cloud of ammonia was blown away by the wind in the direction of the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. That is, in fact, it is the Russian military who carry out terrorist attacks on industrial facilities and destroy the ecosystem of Ukraine. For example, the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine recently reported that the Russians were mining the Crimean Titan plant in temporarily occupied Armiansk and preparing a terrorist act with the release of about 200 tons of ammonia. This can lead to an artificially created man-made disaster. Russia simply reflects its actions and thus tries to present itself as a constant victim of Ukraine's “aggression”. Allegedly, it is Ukraine that commits terrorist attacks and kills civilians.

Slamming the door is a propaganda tactic that aims to increase the perception range of the target audience. This is achieved by artificially raising rates and expectations in order for people to accept a conditionally “middle” position. This technique is actively used in marketing, through which it came into the field of propaganda. For example, if a seller wants to sell an item for 100 UAH, but the public is only willing to pay 50 UAH, the seller first puts a higher price (for example, 200 UAH) and then lowers it to 100 UAH to make it look like a bargain. Russian propagandists often and actively use this tactic. Recently, Russia's desire to sign a peace treaty and secure the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine has become a very popular narrative. Against the background of the counter-offensive of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the inevitable liberation of the occupied Ukrainian lands, propagandists are promoting messages that Western support for Ukraine will soon be significantly reduced, our country will be left alone with Russia and the consequences for it will be much worse and more tragic than the loss of those territories under a peace treaty which are now occupied. In a somewhat modified form, this tactic is used to speed up Russian passportization in the temporarily occupied territories. The occupiers on local telegram channels advertise ordinary Russian social payments and digital public services as great advantages and achievements, deliberately “forgetting” that they themselves, by their occupation, deprived people of absolutely the same payments and services from Ukraine and put the local population on the brink of survival. This tactic was also used in April - May 2022, when Russian propaganda actively promoted the narrative that the ruble is perhaps the most stable and dynamically growing currency in the world. The Russian currency at that time did grow somewhat, but only against the backdrop of a terrible and catastrophic fall in March of the same year after the introduction of Western sanctions against the aggressor country.

Such information was disseminated in social networks, including the Russian segment of Facebook. Reports say that allegedly during a working trip to the Kherson region on May 8, people met Volodymyr Zelenskyi badly: he was insulted and cursed. The authors add that Zelenskyi was indifferent to the reaction of the public and he continued his “tour of the regions”. They also add video to the post. It is not true. 

The case was noticed by the Georgian fact-checkers of the Myth Detector project, who explained that, first of all, Volodymyr Zelenskyi came to the Kherson region as part of his working trip to establish the consequences of the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam. Fact-checkers checked the video and found out that it was compiled. A different sound was superimposed on the video, where people scold. Meanwhile, they also managed to find the real video with a reverse Google search. So, in the original video, Ukrainians are chanting the phrase “Glory to Ukraine!”, and Volodymyr Zelenskyi and his delegation answer “Glory to the heroes!”. Moreover, the video was published back in November 2022, when Zelenskyi visited the liberated Kherson. That is, the authors used the old video to spread false information. 

By spreading this fake, propagandists seek to show how the public is dissatisfied with Volodymyr Zelenskyi. Allegedly, in Ukraine, everyone does not respect him and is ready to scold him in the face. Thus, the authors undermine the authority of the President.

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that the Ukrainian armed forces allegedly shelled the Kherson region during the evacuation of civilians from flooded areas. Like, they prevented the evacuation of people. It is not true. 

The StopFake fact-checkers worked on the case, explaining that the propagandists simply made up such information. In fact, there is plenty of documented evidence that the Russians shelled Kherson during the evacuation of civilians. Also, according to the head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Prokudin, it was the Russian army that shelled the coastal territories, the central part of the city, and the place of evacuation from the flooded areas. 

Thus, propagandists use the tactics of reflection, attributing their actions to the opponent. So, they try to hide their crimes and become a victim.

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that Ukraine is preparing a nuclear strike. The authors add that this is the response of the Ukrainians to the alleged murder of Kyryl Budanov by the Russians. It is not true. 

The fact-checkers of the StopFake project drew attention to the case, they found out that Ukraine is not preparing and cannot prepare a nuclear strike, since it does not carry out undeclared activities at nuclear facilities. This is also confirmed by the conclusions of the IAEA mission after visiting Ukraine. Checks of nuclear facilities are carried out systematically, the last of which was in May this year. According to the conclusions of the expert commission, no suspicious types of activity were recorded. As for the so-called “death” of the head of the GUR, Kyryl Budanov, we also recently refuted this fake. 

Thus, the propagandists seek to demoralize the Ukrainians and show them how supposedly “there is no one to protect them”. By spreading this fake, propagandists are trying to re-justify their actions and shift the responsibility for them to the victim. Allegedly, Russia is fighting against Ukraine, which wants to destroy Russia with “dirty bombs”.

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, in the Ukrainian segment of the telegram. The reports say that allegedly in connection with the blowing up of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant (HPP) by the Russians, the EU countries provide material assistance and provide housing for all refugees from Ukraine. Like, housing will be provided urgently. In the publication, the authors add links to telegram channels, which supposedly contain step-by-step instructions on how to get help in eight European countries. It is not true. 

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project drew attention to the case, and determined that the heads of the EU countries did not make such statements. That is, it's just stuffing the authors of the messages. Probably, this is how telegram channel administrators seek to increase the number of subscribers by publishing false information. Also, fact-checkers were unable to find reports from European or Ukrainian officials about the provision of housing or other additional assistance to Ukrainian refugees in European countries. 

We recall that we have already analyzed several cases of the Russians blowing up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. Among such cases, we have created a selection of propaganda messages in which Russians justified themselves and denied their crime. Also, analysts denied the message that the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant allegedly self-destructed.