This thesis was circulated on social networks, in particular on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. The Estonian intelligence ex-chairman admitted that the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine “will turn into a failure” due to the effective defense of Russia and its superiority in the air, the reports say. The authors refer to an interview by Rainer Sachs on Estonian television. This is manipulation.

The fact-checkers of the Center for Counteracting Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council drew attention to the case, and they determined that such an ex-member of the Estonian intelligence did not speak. During the live broadcast, Rainer Sachs was invited as an expert to comment on the situation with the Ukrainian counteroffensive. Meanwhile, he said that the Russians have an advantage in the air, but they do not dare to come very close to the front. That is, the expert assessed the combat capability of Russia. However, he did not say that under such a scenario, the counteroffensive was doomed. The propagandists distorted the context of the interview.

By spreading such manipulations, the authors seek to demoralize Ukrainians, while using the figure of international experts. It seems that they themselves are not confident in the victory of Ukraine. Thus, propagandists mistake the wish for reality.