The message that Ukraine and its government are allegedly “curtailing religious freedoms” by banning the activities of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC-MP) has become increasingly popular in Western conservative circles and has become systemic, as they have long been spread by conspiracy theorists. They claim and convince human rights activists and Western political elites that Ukraine’s actions against the UOC-MP are allegedly aimed at suppressing religious freedom and sabotaging Russian culture.

Supporters of this theory note that such actions by Ukraine are exclusively politically motivated. They believe that measures like the bill to restrict the activities of the UOC-MP are aimed at strengthening “Russophobia” in Ukraine and “artificially strengthening” national identity, separated from Russian cultural and religious ties. They say that such actions by the authorities are not something “natural” from Ukraine.

According to this theory, attempts to limit the activities of the UOC-MP in Ukraine are classified as a “witch hunt”. They say that they are humiliated only because they represent an alternative view of all the events currently taking place in Ukraine, especially after the start of a full-scale Russian invasion. Proponents of this theory believe that this is an attempt to limit the religious rights of Ukrainian Orthodox Christians, which allegedly undermines the image of Ukraine as a legal and free country.

Conspiracy theorists also suggest that Western countries, in particular the United States and European states, are encouraging or supporting Ukraine's actions against the Moscow Patriarchate. They say this is part of a broader strategy to weaken Russia and expand Western influence in Eastern Europe. Therefore, the theory of “church persecution in Ukraine” is closely intertwined with the theory of “cultural attrition of Russia”, since such actions of Ukraine are described as efforts directed against Russian culture and heritage within its borders. The purpose of this, according to conspiracy theorists, is the deliberate destruction of the Moscow Patriarchate, which is “at the heart” of Russian values and culture. They say that the West is leading Ukraine to “immorality and disaster”, while Russia is defending “traditional values” in Ukraine.

This conspiracy theory exaggerates the scale and intentions of the Ukrainian government's actions. Although legal and administrative measures have been taken against individual members of the Moscow Patriarchate, they are often based on specific allegations of wrongdoing rather than on a general policy of religious suppression. Ukraine has repeatedly justified its actions against the Moscow Patriarchate on legal and security grounds. The Moscow Patriarchate has taken an active role in supporting pro-Russian separatism in the country and is seen as an intermediary of Russian political influence. Due to its close connection with the Russian political elite, the UOC-MP is suspected of espionage and undermining Ukrainian sovereignty.

In 2018, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) was created, which received autocephaly (independence) from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. This move was seen as a significant step towards Russian religious independence. The creation of the OCU was supported by the Ukrainian government, and Moscow perceived it as a threat to its influence. In particular, Russian propaganda is trying in every possible way to discredit the OCU and its activities, launching a large number of fakes and manipulations in relation to it. They say that the OCU is not a real church, but the UOC-MP is real. Thus, Russia divides people into “right” and “wrong” based on religious preferences.

Russian propagandists are spreading messages on their resources about an alleged “attack of poisonous spiders on Ukraine”. According to them, several deaths have already been recorded, and many are in hospitals because of this. Some propagandists even associate the spider invasion with the work of American biological laboratories. However, this is fake.

The Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council drew attention to it. Its specialists checked the information with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. According to their data, there is no talk of mass requests for medical help due to bites. In July, one case of a poisonous karakurt spider bite was registered, after which the injured resident of Odesa turned to doctors. He is in the hospital receiving the necessary care and his condition is stable.

The Ministry of Health also noted that due to the abnormal heat this year, spiders have actually become more active in Ukraine, but there have been no deaths. If you are bitten, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor. It is important to remember that the bites of the poisonous spider in Ukraine for the most part do not lead to death. Propagandists spread such misinformation to cause baseless panic among the population.

Propagandists are disseminating information in the foreign segment of telegram channels that the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has allegedly stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are massively mobilizing female prisoners. They claim that this indicates that the Ukrainian army does not have enough men due to too high losses. However, this is fake.

The Justice Department has made no such statements. Propagandists made this fake based on a message on the department’s Facebook page, which talks about seven imprisoned women who signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Russian propaganda uses exaggerated and distorted data to create the illusion of a crisis in the Ukrainian army. In fact, Ukrainian military units are recruited on the basis of voluntary recruitment and mobilization in accordance with the law.

The spread of such fakes aims to demoralize both Ukrainian society and military personnel, creating the impression that the army is in a state of crisis and is forced to take extreme measures. Russian propaganda uses such messages to create information noise, making it difficult to distinguish true news from fake news. The goal is to divert attention from real events and crimes committed by Russian troops.

On July 26, 2024, the online publication Odessaonline received an email, allegedly from the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine with a request to publish an article entitled “It’s time to return what’s yours!”. However, the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security confirmed that the Main Intelligence Directorate of the GUR did not send any letters to local media.

The article contained obvious signs of Russian stuffing, describing the unfavorable situation at the front and groundlessly accusing the country's leadership of disrupting mobilization. In particular, it was argued that:

the military command assumed mobilization powers;

informing law enforcement agencies about people evading their constitutional duty is encouraged;

representatives of the Territorial centers of recruitment and social support have permission to use weapons to detain persons liable for military service without reason.

However, this is not true. Such disinformation is aimed at creating resistance among citizens regarding joining the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as fueling panic and the desire to leave Ukraine.

The purpose of this information operation was to sow distrust in the Ukrainian government and military command, reduce morale among military personnel and civilians, and create an atmosphere of fear and panic. Propagandists sought to arouse resistance among citizens to mobilization and military service, as well as to provoke internal conflicts and divisions in society.

Russian propaganda is actively using Russia's presidency of the UN Security Council to promote its own narratives regarding Ukraine. The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine drew attention to this when on July 25 Russia convened a meeting due to the “problem of supplying weapons to Ukraine”, where diplomats from the aggressor country disseminated propaganda messages.

Russia's permanent representative to the UN, Vasyl Nebenzia, repeated several propaganda clichés that were discovered by the Center for Research and Explained and explained by Detector Media.

“The West is robbing Ukraine with colonial schemes”

With the help of this cliché, Russian propagandists are trying to show that the West allegedly really does not help Ukraine, but only uses its resources and capabilities. This statement is aimed at undermining Ukrainians' trust in Western aid and support, presenting it not as help but as exploitation. In this way, Russia is trying to sow doubts among the population of Ukraine and the international community regarding the honesty and selflessness of assistance from the West. Propagandists also want to influence the mood in Western countries so that the population begins to doubt the advisability of supporting Ukraine.

“Corruption in Ukraine has reached unprecedented proportions”

This unsubstantiated statement attempts to discredit the Ukrainian government, undermining its legitimacy and the credibility of its international partners. The purpose of its dissemination is to convince the international community that support for Ukraine is wasteful and ineffective. The exaggeration of corruption at high levels is intended to discourage other states from continuing to provide assistance.

“Volodymyr Zelenskyi has lost legitimacy”

Propagandists are once again seeking to portray the President of Ukraine as an illegitimate leader in order to weaken his domestic and international support. This is done in order to reduce his influence and authority. Russia is trying to increase destabilization in Ukraine and create the impression of chaos, which can be used as justification for its crimes against Ukraine and its inhabitants.

“The Ukrainian peace formula makes no sense”

This cliche is aimed at discrediting Ukrainian peace initiatives in order to present Ukraine as an obstacle to peace. The goal is to impose on the world community the opinion that the Ukrainian proposals are not successful, and thus force them to accept conditions favorable to Russia. Thus, Russia seeks to impose its vision of scenarios for ending the war and its peace conditions, which would ensure exclusively its strategic interests.

The latest meeting of the Security Council once again showed that Russia is using the international platform and diplomats as a propaganda tool, avoiding constructive dialogue. It seeks to convince the international community that it is right and justify its aggressive actions in Ukraine by spreading distorted information and manipulation.