Spilnota Detector Media
Detector Media collects and documents real-time chronicles of the Kremlin disinformation about the Russian invasion. Ukraine for decades has been suffering from Kremlin disinformation. Here we document all narratives, messages, and tactics, which Russia is using from February 17th, 2022. Reminder: the increasing of shelling and fighting by militants happened on the 17th of February 2022 on the territory of Ukraine. Russian propaganda blames Ukraine for these actions.

On 23 November, on the 1003th day of the full-scale war, our editorial office recorded:

2545
Fake
758
Manipulation
739
Message
535
Disclosure
Русскій фейк, іді на***!

Fake Most Ukrainians want capitulation

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric spread information that, according to the results of a sociological survey, the majority of the Ukrainian population is demanding surrender. In particular, 30% of Ukrainians are allegedly ready to do anything for the sake of peace. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the VoxCheck fact-checker.

On July 28, 2023, the “War, Peace, Victory, Future” poll referred to by Russian propaganda was published by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, conducted jointly with the Center for Political Sociology and in cooperation with the OPORA Civic Network in June 2023. The report notes that “30% of Ukrainians want a speedy end to the war under any conditions, but only 8% of respondents are really ready to make at least some concessions for the sake of a quick end to the war”. So the Ukrainians want peace, but are not ready to make concessions. 77% of respondents are confident in the victory of Ukraine.

Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to sow discouragement among the Ukrainian population and sow doubts about the victory over Russia. Earlier we talked about the tactics of how Russian propaganda uses fear, uncertainty and doubt to achieve its goals.

Fake In Belarus, the leader of the Wagner group Pryhozhyn was arrested and handed over to NATO

On Facebook, on the page of the educational and documentary channel, a video was circulated in which they say that the leader of the Wagner group, Yevhenii Pryhozhyn, was arrested in Belarus. Allegedly, President of Belarus Oleksandr Lukashenko ordered the arrest of Pryhozhyn and handed him over to NATO. It is not true.

The case was investigated by the fact-checkers of the Check Your Fact project. Mercenaries of the Wagner group are in Belarus and train the Belarusian military, and Lukashenko did not give the order to arrest the leader Pryhozhyn. Neither NATO nor the Belarusian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Pryhozhyn was arrested and handed over to NATO.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted on August 10 that Wagner continues its presence at facilities in Belarus, and, according to rumors, the status of its withdrawal to Russia remains unclear.

Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to convince the whole world that there is a conflict between Lukashenko, Putin and Pryhozhyn, and it was the Russians who were bleached as if they were not involved in the war. Earlier, we refuted the fake that the US Secretary of State welcomed Pryhozhyn with the capture of Bakhmut.

Fake Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra will be inhabited by servicemen of the Azov Battalion

Russian media, broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric, reported that the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra will be populated by servicemen of the Azov Battalion, who will “shout, swear, suck on already legalized drugs, drink, mock, commit arbitrariness”. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the fact-checkers of the StopFake project. The National Reserve Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra presented a program for military personnel “Spiritual Restoration of Culture”. Within 7 days, the military and chaplains will communicate with the clergy, historians, art historians, archaeologists, etc. Under this program, chaplains will reside on the premises of the National Academy of Cultural and Art Leadership. Therefore, we are not talking about the settlement of military personnel on a permanent basis or the transfer of Lavra to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Thus, the Russian propaganda is trying to discredit the Azov military personnel and split the society through religion. Earlier, we refuted the fake that NATO could involve the Azov and Kraken battalions to suppress protests in France.

Manipulation Ukrainian military plan to kidnap 523 children in Kharkiv region

Russian media broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric spread information that the Ukrainian military is allegedly preparing the kidnapping of 523 children in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region. The children are planned to be sold, and the money to be divided between Zelenskyi's officials and Western patrons. This is manipulation.

The case was studied by the fact-checkers of the Center for Strategic Communications. The Ukrainian military does not kidnap children, unlike the Russian military, but evacuates them from dangerous areas. After the shelling of the Kupiansk district became more intense, it was decided to evacuate part of the population. Precisely because Russian troops are shelling the civilian population and infrastructure, the issue of forced evacuation of minors is being considered, but only accompanied by parents or guardians. They are promised to be provided with free housing in Kharkiv or in the West of the country and all necessary assistance.

Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to discredit the Ukrainian authorities and the military, and also diverts attention from the crimes of Russians who are kidnapping children in the temporarily occupied territories. Earlier, we refuted the fake that Ukraine is taking away children from families living in the war zone.

Fake Volodymyr Zelenskyi is a war criminal

Pro-Kremlin media are spreading information that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi is allegedly a war criminal. Russian deputy Sheremet said that the whole world knows about this: “I am sure that in the near future we will see, I hope, Zelenskyi alive in the dock”. The President of Ukraine allegedly destroys peaceful infrastructure in order to justify the financial resources invested in the “terrorist” regime of Ukraine. It's fake.

The case was studied by the fact-checkers of the Center for Strategic Communications. Not a single institution recognized the President of Ukraine as a criminal. At the same time, Russian President Volodymyr Putin was recognized, and a warrant for his arrest was issued by the International Criminal Court. The strikes on the Kerch bridge, which Volodymyr Zelenskyi commented on, are used by the Russian military. This is a military target, illegally erected by the occupiers.

Thus, the Russian propaganda is trying to discredit the President of Ukraine and shift the responsibility for Russia's crimes to Ukraine. Russian propagandists use the tactics of reflection and bring charges against Volodymyr Zelenskyi the same as they bring against Putin. Earlier, we refuted the fake that Zelenskyi admitted that the United States started a war in Ukraine.

Orest Slyvenko, Artur Koldomasov, Vitalii Mykhailiv, Oleksandra Kotenko, Oleksandr Siedin, Kostiantyn Zadyraka, and Oleksiy Pivtorak are collaborating on this chronicle. Lesia Bidochko serves as the project coordinator, while Ksenia Ilyuk is the author of the project.