Russian propagandists circulated a post on pro-Russian social media, purportedly from the charity foundation Lviv-Opir. The post claimed that soldiers from the 225th Separate Assault Battalion stole a washing machine from a house in the Kursk region. However, this is photo manipulation.

Experts from the StopFake project investigated the claim and found that the screenshot of the post was fabricated. They also located the original post on the Facebook page of the Lviv-Opir charity foundation. In the original, it is stated that Ukrainian soldiers received a washing machine from the Rak family. The foundation not only organizes collections but also facilitates the delivery of essential items to soldiers from concerned citizens.

In the fake publication, the Russians alleged that the washing machine was taken by fighters from the 225th battalion who were stationed in the Kursk region. However, the original post mentions servicemen from the Kharkiv region without specifying the unit. The legitimate post does not mention the theft of equipment; instead, it expresses gratitude for the assistance provided. Furthermore, the timestamps of the posts differ: the original was published on December 4, 2024, at 01:04 AM, while the fake appeared at 02:04 AM the same day. This time difference aligns with the time zones of Ukraine and Russia, suggesting that the fake was likely created by Russian users.

The spread of fake reports about thefts or misconduct by Ukrainian soldiers aims to discredit the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Such narratives create a negative image of the Ukrainian military both domestically and internationally, undermining support for their actions among citizens and allies. This disinformation may also seek to foster internal divisions in Ukraine, sowing doubt and mistrust among the population toward their military and volunteers. It can impact morale, trust in the government and the army, and reduce support from international partners.

This type of disinformation reinforces Russia's aggressive narrative and its denial of truth, attempting to portray Ukraine as a country where everything, from the government to the military, is uncontrolled or immoral. It serves to justify Russia’s aggressive policies and actions against Ukraine. Russian propagandists also use such disinformation to depict Ukraine as lacking unity, suggesting that Ukrainian soldiers engage in theft or behave uncontrollably. This could be an attempt to portray the situation in Ukraine as chaotic and undisciplined. Overall, such disinformation seeks to create misunderstandings, weaken trust in Ukraine and its military, and form a negative image of the country and its representatives.