Fake Budanov was wounded and was replaced by a double
Propagandists are spreading a fake, allegedly the chairman of the GUR, Kyryl Budanov, was wounded and instead of him, a double was sent to meet with Japanese Ambassador Matsuda Kuninori. It's fake.
The authors of such messages note that the “double” can be exposed thanks to a new hairstyle, a clean-shaven chin and an “unnatural fold” of the right hand. However, all these are rather signs of a slight change in the image of one person.
By concocting such excuses, the Russians want to nourish the fake about Budanov's severe injury, even if it has already been debunked. In addition, by spreading reports about the injury or death of Ukrainian top military/political figures, the Russians want to cause panic among Ukrainians and create the illusion of defeat. However, the leaders who appeared in these fakes repeatedly debunked them on their own.