Propagandists continue to resort to conspiracy theories to justify Russia's aggression against Ukraine and explain events happening in the world. In particular, they spread the conspiracy theory that Kharkiv is allegedly a Russian city. It is based on historical manipulations and the distortion of contemporary realities. 

Propagandists often mention that Kharkiv was founded in the 17th century as part of the Russian Empire and use this as a basis for their territorial claims. Additionally, agitprop and conspiracy theorists emphasize the exclusive use of the Russian language in Kharkiv, attempting to prove that this forms the city's ‘Russian identity’. Russia also seeks to portray Kharkiv as part of the ‘Russian world’, claiming loyalty from its population to Russia.

In spreading this theory, propagandists actively circulate fake claims about ‘repressions’ against Russian speakers in Kharkiv, the alleged ‘historical injustice’ of transferring the city to Ukraine, and supposed ‘calls’ from locals for integration with Russia.

In reality, Kharkiv was founded in the 17th century and has always remained an important center of Ukrainian culture, science, and education. The multilingual nature of the city's residents in everyday life does not indicate its Russian identity. Kharkiv has been and remains a crucial hub for Ukrainian literature, theater, and art. Moreover, the Kharkiv community actively resisted Russia's attempts to intervene in the region in 2014 and 2022. The city has become a symbol of resistance and Ukrainian unity.

The goal of this theory is to justify aggression against Ukraine, mobilize support among the Russian population, and attempt to undermine international support for Ukraine. In reality, Kharkiv is a Ukrainian city with a rich history, which strongly resists Russia's attempts to claim it.

Russian propaganda is actively spreading information on anonymous Telegram channels about the alleged repulsion of a Ukrainian drone attack on Smolensk region by Russian air defense. However, this is not true.

This was reported by the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security. Their experts claim that on the night of January 21, Ukrainian forces struck the Smolensk Aviation Plant, where combat aircraft are produced and modernized. This strike caused significant damage to Russian military infrastructure. Additionally, Ukraine successfully attacked:

- the Liskinska oil depot in Voronezh region, causing a large-scale fire;

- the command post of the 29th Russian Army in Volnovakha, weakening the enemy's control on the front.

In this way, they are attempting to create the illusion of success for their air defense and conceal the effectiveness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' strikes. Propaganda also uses such messages to minimize panic among its population and demonstrate a false sense of defense capability. It also seeks to discredit the successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the international level, trying to undermine trust in Ukraine as a capable partner for Western allies.

Member of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, Oleksii Pushkov, spread the claim that Ukraine is turning into a burden for the EU due to refugees and ‘problems’ with gas. However, this is not true.

This was reported by the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security. Their experts remind that Ukrainian refugees are not an economic challenge for Europe; on the contrary, they contribute to the growth of the labor market. Thanks to temporary protection status, they legally work, having signed 1.87 million contracts in EU countries by October 2023. Their expenses in 2022 alone amounted to $20 billion, which positively impacted the economies of the countries hosting them. As for gas supply, the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine's gas transportation system has stopped, but the EU has adapted to the new conditions, including increasing the import of liquefied natural gas from other sources. No issues with energy resource provision have arisen, which confirms the successful diversification of the European energy market.

Such messages are aimed at creating a rift between Ukraine and its Western allies.

Russian propaganda spread information on anonymous Telegram channels about the death of a Danish F-16 instructor during a missile strike on Kryvyi Rih.

This was reported by the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security. They found that the Ministry of Defense of Denmark officially denied this claim, emphasizing that none of their military personnel had been killed in Ukraine. These disinformation attacks serve several purposes.

Russia seeks to discredit Denmark as a country supporting Ukraine and create the impression that the involvement of Western instructors carries significant risks. Such fakes are aimed at weakening international support for Ukraine, sowing doubts among allies, and demoralizing Ukrainian society.

Russian propagandists claim on anonymous Telegram channels that the problem of Russian natural gas exports allegedly remains one of the main issues for the global economy. Supposedly, this was written by Asia Times, and in the corresponding article, experts allegedly state that by providing Ukraine with weapons and supporting anti-Russian sanctions, the EU is making things worse for itself. However, this is manipulation.

The European Union is actively working on diversifying energy supply sources to reduce its dependence on Russian gas. In 2024, the United States became the largest supplier of liquefied natural gas, providing 48% of imports. Ukraine, for its part, ceased the transit of Russian gas through its territory, which was a strategic decision in response to Russian aggression.

At the same time, Europe is developing renewable energy, modernizing nuclear power plants, and optimizing energy consumption. Russia's manipulations with gas supplies, including the sabotage of the Nord Streams, have only accelerated the EU's adaptation to new conditions. Statements about a ‘cold future for Europe’ are part of Russian disinformation aimed at discrediting European unity and resilience. The EU is showing determination in building energy independence and supporting Ukraine as part of its long-term security strategy.

Propagandists are spreading claims that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have allegedly mined the rear, installing two million explosive devices. However, this is false.

This is reported by the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security. Its experts have determined that manipulations concerning the ‘mining of territories by the AFU’ are actively used in Russian propaganda. In July 2024, they falsely claimed that explosives were supposedly placed under dams and bridges in Odesa. In reality, it was Russian forces who, retreating from Kherson in 2022, left behind numerous mines. They mined roads, residential buildings, schools, hospitals, and other civilian objects, creating threats to civilians. Because of this, Ukraine has become one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world. According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the contaminated area covers approximately 139,000 square kilometers. Annual economic losses due to this amount to $11.2 billion. The occupiers' mining of territories has already caused over 760 civilian casualties, including 86 children. These tragedies are a direct consequence of Russia's war crimes and its tactics of terror against Ukraine.

Propagandists disseminate this disinformation for several purposes. Specifically, they aim to convince international audiences and Ukrainians of the alleged incompetence or bad faith of Ukraine's military command. Such propaganda is also designed to create panic and despair among the population, fostering the perception that Ukrainian authorities act against their own citizens. Moreover, by doing so, Russia seeks to shift responsibility for mining onto Ukraine to divert attention from Russia's war crimes, including the mining of civilian facilities.