Russian propaganda media and publics on social networks write about this with reference to collaborator Vitalii Hanchev. Allegedly, seven detained foreigners study at the local medical college. According to Hanchev, the Armed Forces of Ukraine intend to be used to “make news fake like it was with Bucha”. It is not true.

Kremlin propaganda was refuted by Ukrainian policemen. According to the Kharkiv Anti-Corruption Center, seven Sri Lankan citizens aged between 20 and 40 arrived in Ukraine about three weeks before the full-scale invasion. Some of them came to study at the Kupiansk Medical College, and some came to work. They rented a house in Kupiansk. Fleeing from the occupation, they walked to Kharkiv, but on the way they were detained by the Russian military. The invaders took the foreigners to the aggregate plant in Vovchansk, where they kept them for 4 months and mocked them: they pulled out their nails, subjected them to physical and psychological violence. The Russians did not communicate in English, so the foreigners did not understand what they wanted from them and why they were tortured. The Russians said "money" during torture. The Investigation Department interrogates the victims and establishes all the details.