Russian information-psychological operations (IPSO) farms have launched a series of TikTok videos in which AI-generated “Ukrainian soldiers” claim that Kupiansk is fully encircled and that there is a critical shortage of ammunition.

The Center for Countering Disinformation under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council has refuted this information, stressing that it is a deepfake. “These videos are fake and were created using AI. The use of generative technologies is easy to detect due to unnatural facial expressions and a stereotyped voice. Another characteristic sign is that the fake ‘soldiers’ mispronounce the name Kupiansk, placing the stress on ‘ya’ instead of the correct ‘u’,” the fact-checkers said.

“As of now, there have been a number of counterattacks in the northern part of the city, and the Russians have been pushed back, but the situation remains unstable. Fighting is ongoing in the city and is changing dynamically. Although it has been possible to repel the Russians, the situation in the city is still difficult,” said Viktor Trehubov, Head of the Communications Department of the Joint Forces Grouping, during a TV broadcast.