Russia creates AI fake about Ukraine's defeat near Lyman
Photo: Russia spreads fakes about the Ukrainian Armed Forces (t.me/CenterCounteringDisinformation)
Russia's propaganda machine has launched a fake claiming that Ukraine's Territorial Defense units were defeated near Lyman, using an AI-generated voice in a fabricated video, according to Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation.
Details of the disinformation campaign
According to the center, a video has been circulating online featuring a man in military uniform presented as a serviceman of Ukraine's 120th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. In the video, he claims Ukrainian units suffered a "complete defeat."
The speaker also alleges that military commanders fled the battlefield, abandoning their troops.
An analysis of the footage found that the man's face had been altered using deepfake technology, and the voice was entirely robotic and AI-generated.
The fake video was first published by a newly created social media account that had recently spread another false claim alleging a collapse of logistics in Ukraine's 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade.
The disinformation was then quickly amplified by Russian propaganda channels.
Photo: Russia spreads fakes about the Ukrainian Armed Forces (t.me/CenterCounteringDisinformation)
Goal of the operation
According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, the campaign is intended to sow panic among Ukrainians by creating the false impression that the front line is collapsing, disguising the narrative as an appeal from Ukrainian soldiers.
"The purpose of such systematic information operations is to demoralize Ukrainian society and undermine trust in the command of the Defense Forces," the center said.
Russia's disinformation campaigns
Russian propaganda regularly fabricates stories and spreads false claims as part of its information warfare.
In May, Russian sources widely circulated disinformation claiming Ukraine had lost control of parts of its border region. Moscow also claimed to have captured the village of Riasne in the Sumy region, but Ukrainian military officials refuted the reports, explaining the current situation and dismissing claims of a Ukrainian defeat or Russian breakthrough.
In addition to fabrications about 'successes' on the battlefield, the Kremlin is organizing large-scale international provocations. Earlier, Ukraine's General Staff dismissed Russian allegations that Ukrainian forces had struck a bus carrying children in Russia's Bryansk region, calling the accusations an attempt to draw Belarus into the war.
At the same time, Russian occupation authorities continue to pressure civilians in occupied territories.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defense Forces continue taking preventive measures. As part of efforts to protect the country's southern regions, including the area around Odesa, the military is building a circular defensive line, a strategy officials have previously explained in detail.
