Russia is conducting IPSO to destabilize the situation in Sumy - CCD of the NSDC
Kyiv • UNN
The Center for Countering Disinformation has recorded a Russian IPSO aimed at destabilizing Sumy. Propagandists are spreading fakes about the alleged "surrender of the city" by the authorities and complaints about water pressure, although the disruptions are caused by Russian shelling.
The Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine has recorded a Russian information and psychological operation aimed at destabilizing the situation in Sumy. The CCD of the NSDC reported this on Wednesday, reports UNN.
The Center records an enemy information and psychological operation aimed at destabilizing the situation in the city of Sumy
Details
The Center noted that after the statement by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin about the alleged presence of occupation troops "10.5 km from Sumy," which does not correspond to reality, Russian propaganda resources began to spread manipulative messages with the narrative that the Ukrainian authorities are allegedly "surrendering the city."
According to the CCD, propagandists claimed that local authorities allegedly deliberately do not restore critical infrastructure because they are "preparing Sumy for surrender."
The Center emphasized that after these claims did not gain support among Ukrainians, Russian special services resorted to creating an illusion of "mass discontent" among the city's residents. In particular, a video was spread on TikTok on behalf of an alleged resident of Sumy, who complained about low water pressure, after which it was actively disseminated by Russian Telegram channels.
As the CCD notes, the original source of the video was an anonymous account masquerading as a "Ukrainian military man," not the page of the "resident" herself. The Center explained that this is a typical tactic of Russian special services, when accounts with neutral content are first created to gain audience trust, and later fake news is spread through them.
The CCD emphasized that the goal of this information operation is to sow panic among the residents of Sumy and undermine trust in local authorities and the state.
At the same time, the Center stressed that temporary interruptions in water supply in Sumy are caused by Russian shelling of civilian infrastructure. Residents are promptly informed about the situation, water is supplied according to a schedule, delivery of technical water is organized, and utility services are working to eliminate the consequences of the attacks.
"We call on citizens not to succumb to the Kremlin's information provocations, not to spread dubious content, and to use official sources of information," the statement reads.