This thesis was circulated on social networks, in particular on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Oleksii Reznikov is thought to have said that “nothing significant should be expected” from the UAF counteroffensive. The authors added that the official was confident in the ability of the Russians to repulse the attack and could not even answer the exact amount of destroyed equipment. Like, he answered “ambiguously” to the technique. They refer to an interview with the current publication. This is manipulation.

The fact-checkers of the StopFake project drew attention to the case, and found out that Reznikov did not make such statements in an interview with Present Time, but only said that this counteroffensive would not be a lightning-fast campaign like Kherson and Kharkiv, and that Ukrainian commanders would gradually fulfill their tasks. That is the authors distorted the context of the interview. In fact, he meant that over time, all the tasks set will be completed, but one should not expect quick results.

As for the destroyed equipment, Reznikov did not really give exact numbers, arguing that it is impossible to establish such a number: some equipment is being repaired, others are written off. These calculations take time. However, he did not avoid this question and did not answer “vaguely” in order to supposedly hide the fact of a crushing defeat. By spreading this manipulation, propagandists seek to demoralize Ukrainians. Allegedly, the officials themselves are not sure of victory or of a successful counteroffensive. Like, one should not  expect anything significant, because the Russians are “stronger”.

Thus, the authors distort reality and mistake the wish for the reality.