KYIV – Russian disinformation operatives have launched another false campaign targeting Ukraine’s civilian population, this time spreading a fake story online about the supposed preparation for the surrender of the city of Sumy. The National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine has strongly denied the rumour, calling it a deliberate lie by Russian propagandists designed to fuel fear and destabilise public morale.
According to Ukraine’s Centre for Counteracting Disinformation, a video is circulating online in which a man claiming to be a local resident of Sumy alleges that local authorities are preparing to hand the city over to Russian forces. The video refers to the alleged removal of official documents and property from government buildings as so-called “evidence” of a retreat. However, officials confirm that the video is fake and part of a wider enemy information campaign intended to create unrest.
The head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration, Oleh Hryhorov, stated that Russian troops are continuing their attempts to establish a buffer zone in the Sumy region, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine are confidently holding the line. He added that all civilians living in settlements near the border have been evacuated to safe areas, and there is no preparation or intention to surrender any part of the region.
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi previously reported that the Russian military has been actively trying to push Ukrainian forces out of defensive positions near the Kursk region and to capture parts of northern Sumy. However, Ukrainian troops have successfully thwarted the offensive efforts.
Authorities are urging the public not to trust or share unverified videos or social media posts, especially those that seem to benefit the Kremlin’s goals of division, fear and manipulation.
The spread of such fake stories is a regular tactic used by the Kremlin to demoralise Ukrainian society, especially in moments where the enemy fails to achieve progress on the battlefield.
