«Good Drones», «Second-Class Poles» and «Our Children». Overview of Russian Fakes from May 27 to June 2, 2025

«Good Drones», «Second-Class Poles» and «Our Children». Overview of Russian Fakes from May 27 to June 2, 2025

From May 27 to June 2, 2025, analysts from «Detector Media» documented 10 disinformation narratives. In particular, Russian propagandists spread fakes about Ukraine's alleged readiness to attack Belarus, used AI-generated images to discredit Ukrainian drones in Lithuania, manipulated the topic of social benefits and access to healthcare for Ukrainians in Poland, attributed fictitious political statements regarding Armenia to human rights activist Oleksandra Matviichuk, and justified the deportation of Ukrainian children with propaganda films.

Fakes Claiming Zelensky Threatened a “Preemptive Strike” on Belarus

Russian Telegram channels and propaganda media disseminated messages claiming that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated his readiness to attack Belarus. The authors of the narrative asserted that Ukraine plans to escalate the war and take aggressive actions against the neighboring state.

To support their version, propagandists took Zelensky's words about the security situation in the northern direction out of context. As a result, words about defensive measures were presented as an alleged intention to initiate military actions against Minsk.

In reality, Zelensky spoke about the need to strengthen the defense of Ukrainian regions bordering Belarus and the readiness to respond to potential threats. The discussion was about defending Ukraine in the event of new attacks or attempts at an offensive, not about plans to attack another state.

Such statements are particularly relevant given that Belarus is a participant in the military aggression against Ukraine. The Russians used Belarusian territory for their invasion of Ukraine in 2022 without resistance or protests from the Belarusian authorities. The Ukrainian government has repeatedly emphasized the risk of a repeat of such a scenario.

Russian resources deliberately distorted the content of the president's statement. There were no calls or threats directed at Belarus in his words. The aim of the manipulation was to shape the image of Ukraine as the “aggressor” and justify further military cooperation between Moscow and Minsk.

AI Fake About “Good Ukrainian Drone” in Shelter at a School in Lithuania

Pro-Russian Telegram channels and social media X circulated a photo allegedly taken during an air alert at one of the Lithuanian schools. The image featured a slide claiming that a Ukrainian drone, which supposedly flew into Lithuania, poses no danger.

Screenshots of the publication in Telegram and X that spread the AI fake. Collage: «Gvara Media»

The publication emerged after a real incident on May 20, when an air alert was declared in Lithuania near the Belarusian border due to an unidentified drone. This led propagandists to attempt to lend credibility to the fake.

They circulated the photo as evidence that the Lithuanian authorities allegedly conceal the threat from Ukrainian drones and engage in propaganda among schoolchildren.

However, no confirmations of the existence of such educational material exist. Fact-checkers from «Gvara Media» established that the image was prepared using artificial intelligence. Fact-checkers identified the digital marker SynthID, which is used to label AI-generated content. The Lithuanian Ministry of Education also reported that no such lessons or presentations were conducted in schools. The Lithuanian side regarded the dissemination of the photo as an element of a disinformation campaign against Ukraine.

Manipulation About “Free Medicines for Ukrainians” in Poland

In the Polish segment of social media, a story circulated claiming that Ukrainian refugees allegedly have better access to expensive medications than Polish citizens themselves. The basis for the narrative was information about the price increase of the drug Jardiance, used for treating cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

The authors of the messages claimed that Poles are forced to pay more for medicines, while Ukrainians supposedly receive them for free at the state's expense.

Example of a manipulative message in X

Such publications, as noted by fact-checkers from the Demagog project, quickly gained popularity among right-populist commentators and accounts that regularly spread anti-Ukrainian content.

The main thesis of the campaign boiled down to the assertion that Ukrainians have a privileged status in the Polish healthcare system.

Demagog fact-checkers contacted the National Health Fund of Poland. They confirmed that Ukrainians receive access to reimbursement for medications only under the same conditions as Poles. The drug Jardiance can be provided for free to both Polish citizens and Ukrainians with the same medical indications and insurance coverage. Thus, propagandists used the real price increase of medicines to create a false conclusion about the alleged privileges of Ukrainians.

Fake “Quote” from Human Rights Activist Oleksandra Matviichuk About the Armenian Prime Minister

On social media X, posts circulated attributing to Ukrainian human rights activist Oleksandra Matviichuk a call for the European Parliament to withdraw support for Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

To enhance credibility, the authors of the manipulation used a real video recording of Matviichuk's speech in the European Parliament and added a fabricated quote. The publications were accompanied by tags from well-known international media and links to Euronews.

Original publication of Oleksandra Matviichuk's speech. Source: Euronews account on X

The fabricated statement was spread ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7 in Armenia. It was intended to create the impression of international criticism of the current government.

Analysis of the original video shows that in her speech, Matviichuk spoke about Ukraine's struggle for freedom, against Russian aggression, and about the future of Europe. There were no mentions of Armenia or Nikol Pashinyan in her speech. Propagandists used real video material to spread a fabricated political statement and influence the information space of another state.

Propaganda Film “Our Children” as Justification for the Deportation of Ukrainian Children

Russian propaganda created a “documentary” film titled “Our Children,” dedicated to the removal of Ukrainian children from occupied territories to Russia. The authors of the film attempted to portray these actions as humanitarian aid and concern for children affected by the war.

The plot centers around programs for children in Russian camps and their subsequent integration into Russian society. At the same time, the film completely ignores the fact of the Russian invasion, which caused the humanitarian catastrophe.

Screenshot of the film teaser. Source: Youtube

A significant role in the creation of the film was played by Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova.

The Center for Counteracting Disinformation emphasizes that the forced relocation of Ukrainian children, the alteration of their identity, and integration into Russian society constitute a violation of international law. International organizations and human rights defenders document such actions as part of a policy of violent assimilation. It is due to these practices that the ICC issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova.