Photo fake: a serviceman was allegedly detained in Chernivtsi Oblast for storing explosives at home
Russian propaganda Telegram channels are actively spreading an edited screenshot of an article from a Ukrainian media outlet, claiming that a serviceman of the 158th Separate Mechanized Brigade was allegedly detained in Chernivtsi Oblast for storing a TNT block. According to their version, the soldier supposedly planned to use the explosives to take revenge on his commander for “abuse”. This photo fake was debunked by experts from VoxCheck.
A check of the information source showed that the propagandists altered the original headline of the article.
- Original report: The news item referenced by Russian channels was published by the Lviv-based TV channel NTA on October 29, 2025. It reported the detention of a 42-year-old man in Chernivtsi Oblast for the illegal storage of a TNT block.
- In the original article and in official statements by the Chernivtsi Oblast police, there is no mention that the detainee was a serviceman, let alone that he served in the 158th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
- Method of falsification: Most likely, Russian disinformers used photo-editing software or page code editing tools to replace the word “man” with “serviceman”, thereby creating a fake narrative about crimes within the Armed Forces of Ukraine and alleged internal conflicts.
The information about the alleged detention of a “serviceman of the 158th Separate Mechanized Brigade who stored explosives” is a deliberate disinformation plant and a manipulation aimed at discrediting the Armed Forces of Ukraine and creating a false picture of internal discord.