This thesis was circulated on social networks, in particular on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. The reports say that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are preparing to capture small Russian cities. This was allegedly reported by Bohdan Krotevych, the acting commander of the Azov brigade. The authors refer to Bohdan Krotevych's interview with the Washington Post. This is manipulation.

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project drew attention to the case, which determined that Bohdan Krotevych suggested that Ukraine could capture Russian cities, but did not declare the readiness of the Ukrainian command to take such steps. In the interview itself, Bohdan Krotevych talked about the First Chechen-Russian War and their strategy to capture small Russian towns in order to use them as leverage for Russia to return the occupied territories. He laid out his thoughts and suggested that Ukraine might do the same. However, he did not state this as a fait accompli.

Neither the Washington Post journalists nor Bohdan Krotevych claimed that this was the position of the military or political leadership of Ukraine. The counteroffensive plans are known to a limited circle of people.