Russian media spread the statement of the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, that Ukraine allegedly does not consider the loss of territories a tragedy. However, these words were taken out of context. In fact, Danilov said that Ukrainian forces could retreat from Sievierodonetsk and other cities in the Donbas while regrouping. "Temporary loss of territories is not a tragedy. The tragedy would be the absence of the nation, " he said. It was noted that the temporary retreat of the Armed Forces with the loss of territories during hostilities was not a tragedy because the main thing was to save the country.

By manipulating Danilov's words, Russia tries to root the message that "the Ukrainian government has abandoned its own people." Earlier, Russian propaganda also spread manipulations about the evacuation of civilians and that Ukrainian officials and Volodymyr Zelensky left Ukraine. In this way, Russia seeks to provoke panic, despair, and hatred of power in society.