Russian propaganda trying to discredit skeleton racer Heraskevych over his stance at 2026 Olympics

Russian propagandists have forged a video allegedly produced by Reuters and are manipulating facts.

Russian media outlets are spreading claims that Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the 2026 Olympic Games supposedly because his "Helmet of Remembrance" was decorated with the symbols of "terrorist" organizations and images of "UAF militants," which allegedly violates the principles of Olympism and amounts to war propaganda.

Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels are also circulating a video bearing the logo of the British news agency Reuters, which falsely claims that the athlete's brother works at Kyiv's Territorial Recruitment Center and is allegedly involved in the illegal detention of people for forced conscription. The video quotes Philippe Bolopion, executive director of the international NGO Human Rights Watch, who is said to have called Heraskevych's actions "hypocritical."

These claims are fake. There was no "terrorist" symbolism on the Ukrainian skeleton racer's helmet. The "Helmet of Remembrance" received its name because it features portraits of specific Ukrainian athletes who were killed as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It did not contain any calls for violence, political slogans, or military symbols.

The Reuters video was fabricated. No such report exists on the agency's official website or social media. The British outlet did publish materials related to Heraskevych, but they covered the controversy with the International Olympic Committee, including statements about the unfairness of the punishment and comments from the skeleton racer's father expressing pride in his son.

Instead, Russian propagandists edited the outlet's footage and added their own visuals and text, including fabricated quotes attributed to Bolopion. In reality, the Human Rights Watch executive director never described Heraskevych's actions as "hypocritical." These invented claims were produced using video-editing software. The propagandists also used a photo from an interview with Bolopion that related to a February 4, 2026 article in which the human rights advocate spoke about human rights violations in the United States in connection with the deportation of migrants.

In addition, Reuters reported that another Ukrainian athlete, short track speed skater Oleh Handei, was also banned from competing in his helmet because it featured lines by poet Lina Kostenko.

Heraskevych was disqualified ahead of his first run at the 2026 Olympics due to his intention to compete wearing the "Helmet of Remembrance," which depicts fallen Ukrainian athletes. The International Olympic Committee said the athlete had been disqualified because the helmet he intended to wear "was not compliant with the rules." The organization's decision sparked sharp criticism worldwide and within Ukrainian society.

Through these fakes, Russian propaganda is attempting to discredit Vladyslav Heraskevych, who has drawn global attention to the Kremlin's crimes against Ukraine and Ukrainian sport.

Russia had earlier spread a series of fakes to discredit Ukrainians ahead of the 2026 Olympics.

Andriy Olenin