Russia fabricates video of returned POW claiming alleged torture in Ukraine – CCD

Kremlin propagandists are circulating a staged video featuring a Russian serviceman who has returned from captivity and allegedly speaks about the “atrocities of Ukrainian troops.”

According to Ukrinform, this was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council on Facebook.

The material contains no evidence whatsoever beyond the man’s own words. Such videos appear regularly – every prisoner exchange is accompanied by a series of similar “testimonies,” which look more like the reading of a pre-prepared script.

In reality, this is part of a systematic propaganda campaign. The appearance of exchanged Russian prisoners often contradicts claims of “torture” – they generally look healthy and well cared for. By contrast, Russia itself systematically abuses, maims, and kills Ukrainian prisoners of war.

The purpose of such videos is to justify Russia’s own crimes and discredit Ukraine. These staged “testimonies” form part of information attacks that Russia carries out in parallel with real acts of terror against Ukrainian POWs.

As Ukrinform previously reported, Russian propaganda has also spread a fake claim about “500,000 unidentified fallen” soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

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