A new wave of reports about "brilliant successes" on the front has once again erupted in the Russian information space. This time, propaganda channels reported the capture of the village of Ivolzhanske in Ukraine's Sumy region. However, reality turned out to be far from these loud claims.
Facts vs. Fiction
According to the Communications Center of the "Kursk" military grouping, the village of Ivolzhanske is under the full control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The settlement is located deep in the rear of Ukrainian positions — no assault operations or presence of Russian troops have been recorded there.
The "North" grouping, which Russian sources credited with the "capture" of Ivolzhanske, did not even approach this settlement. Furthermore, reports of fighting involving the 71st Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were called a "manipulation by Russian staff fantasists".
"Randomly picking names of Ukrainian units"
In a statement by the "Kursk" grouping, it is emphasized that Russian military personnel often "randomly pick names of Ukrainian units and plot them on the map, drawing arrows of their own 'offensives'". According to Ukrainian military personnel, such actions indicate an attempt to create an illusion of success where there is none.
"Obviously, tired of getting beaten in their own border region, Russian generals are shifting the front line in the only way available to them — via the keyboard," the document states.
The territory controlled by Russia — the news feed
The "Kursk" grouping notes that while Russian officers cover kilometers in their imagination, the only territory they actually control is their own news feed. "We wish them to continue to confidently hold this line," Ukrainian military personnel add ironically.
History repeats itself
This is not the first time Russia has resorted to such information manipulation. Previously, RBK-Ukraine reported on Russia's claims of the "inevitable" capture of Konstantynivka, which were also refuted by Ukrainian military personnel. Cleansing operations against the enemy continue on the approaches to the city.
New threat: Legal mechanism for mobilizing Belarusians
Meanwhile, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has recorded another worrying trend. Russia is developing a legal mechanism that will allow it to recruit Belarusian citizens into its armed forces through the construct of the Union State. This could become a new stage in the escalation of the conflict and the expansion of the zone of influence of the Russian armed forces.
The situation on the front remains tense, but it is important to distinguish real events from information disinformation. While Ukrainian military personnel continue to defend their territory, Russian propagandists are trying to create an illusion of success where there is none.