Russian Propaganda Steps Up False Campaign About “APU Atrocities” In Donbas — CCD

Russian propaganda has escalated a disinformation effort regarding alleged atrocities committed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbas. This campaign relies on unverified accounts from eyewitnesses, as reported by UATV English, which was shared on Telegram by the Center for Countering Disinformation under Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.

Kremlin-controlled media are disseminating a series of new stories purportedly from eyewitnesses. One such narrative comes from a resident of Kostiantynivka who alleges a Ukrainian drone deliberately targeted her family, including a child, during an evacuation. Another account involves a woman who supposedly had to leave her wounded husband on the roadside due to attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to the Center, these materials are crafted using typical Russian propaganda methods. None of these claims can be substantiated as true, as they lack factual evidence or independent verification. The aim of these information operations is to tarnish the image of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and legitimize Russia's war crimes committed on Ukrainian soil.

The occupying forces are attempting to portray Ukraine as an "enemy" within their territory and among residents of the temporarily occupied regions, employing these tactics to obscure the actual devastation and loss of civilian lives caused by the Russian army. Russia has previously been implicated in disinformation campaigns designed to present a false narrative that it treats Ukrainian prisoners better than Ukraine treats Russian captives.