On social networks, the English-speaking audience is being spread photos of allegedly with the Ukrainian military burning the flag of the Netherlands, noting that they confused it with the flag of Russia. These posts are accompanied by cursing and ridicule of Ukrainian defenders. Apparently, this fake is intended to discredit the Ukrainian military among foreigners, encouraging them to give up their support for Ukraine and force their governments to do the same, which is highly beneficial for the Kremlin.

In fact, it's a double fake. After all, this video was shot in 2016, not after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. In the video entitled "Appeal of Azov fighters to the Netherlands regarding the referendum on the Ukraine-EU association," fighters in black balaclavas purposefully burn the flag of the Netherlands. They also threaten the citizens of the Netherlands with terrorist attacks if they do not support the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union in a local referendum.

This fake is double because "Azov" has nothing to do with this video. On the eve of the referendum in the Netherlands in 2016, it was distributed by Russian propaganda resources linked to the newly created site. The purpose of this fake was to damage Ukraine's international reputation. Representatives of Azov then denied the involvement of their fighters in the video. At first glance, it is immediately apparent that these cannot be Azov fighters, they have no symbol, and the uniform and shoes are not the ones worn by our soldiers. But the funniest thing in this video is the airsoft weapon these actors held, " said Andriy Dyachenko, then deputy commander of the Azov.