Russia spreads fake claims of 'provocation' after missile strike on Kharkiv
Illustrative photo: Russian propagandists accuse Kyiv of provocations (Getty Images)
Russian propagandists are spreading claims that the missile strike on a residential building in Kharkiv was allegedly a "Ukrainian provocation." The city’s official authorities have confirmed that Russian missiles struck the city center, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation.
Russian propaganda outlets have begun spreading another fake, claiming that the strike on a residential building in Kharkiv was allegedly staged by Ukraine.
"In fact, the enemy struck the central part of the city and hit a residential high-rise building in the Kyivskyi district. As of 03:23 PM Kyiv time, 13 civilians were reported injured," Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that, according to preliminary information, two missiles struck residential areas.
He stressed that this attack is yet another confirmation that Russia is doing everything possible to prolong the war and is trying to undermine the diplomatic efforts of international partners, primarily the United States, aimed at ending it.
Photo: Aftermath of Russian strike on Kharkiv (https://t.me/CenterCounteringDisinformation/16743)
Photo: Aftermath of Russian strike on Kharkiv (https://t.me/CenterCounteringDisinformation/16743)
Photo: Aftermath of Russian strike on Kharkiv (https://t.me/CenterCounteringDisinformation/16743)
Photo: Aftermath of Russian strike on Kharkiv (https://t.me/CenterCounteringDisinformation/16743)
Photo: Aftermath of Russian strike on Kharkiv (https://t.me/CenterCounteringDisinformation/16743)
Photo: Aftermath of Russian strike on Kharkiv (https://t.me/CenterCounteringDisinformation/16743)
Russian fakes
Such information manipulations are systematically used by Russian propaganda after massive strikes on Ukrainian cities.
"The purpose of these fakes is to preemptively shift responsibility for Russia’s own war crimes onto Ukraine and to cast doubt on future evidence of attacks on civilian infrastructure," the Center for Countering Disinformation said.
Previously, Russia had spread similar narratives after striking residential areas in Dnipro, Odesa, Kramatorsk, and other cities.
The Kremlin may be preparing a large-scale provocation with human casualties as part of an operation aimed at sabotaging peace talks mediated by the United States.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that on the night of December 29, Ukraine allegedly attacked the state residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Novgorod region with drones, referring to the facility in Valdai.
According to Lavrov, Russian air defense forces allegedly destroyed 91 Ukrainian drones.
At the same time, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the information about the so-called attack is fake and is being used by Moscow as a pretext to discredit and undermine peace initiatives involving Kyiv and Washington.
