Russian fake news: Ukrainian women lured to AFU with attractive pictures

Recently, pro-Russian Telegram channels have spread a screenshot of a text chat with NGO Ukrainian Valkyrie, which is specializing in providing female training in self-defense. The screenshot allegedly shows the project’s representative offering an unidentified woman to become an ambassador of the organization. For this purpose, she would  need to come to the training ground once a week, spend some time running with a machine gun, and take attractive pictures and videos for her Instagram page. According to the text messages, the purpose is to advertise military service for women.

The above screenshot has turned to be another Russian fake. This was confirmed by the representatives of NGO Ukrainian Valkyrie in a commentary to Ukrinform.

“This information is not true. We do not promote army service for women. Our training courses are absolutely voluntary and intended to teach women self-defense. In this way, we are raising funds to assist with the rehabilitation of soldiers,” the representatives of NGO Ukrainian Valkyrie told.

In late summer 2023, the Main Intelligence Directorate at the Ukrainian Defense Ministry warned of a new stage in Russia’s information war against Ukraine. The narratives included mass mobilization, which would allegedly affect all Ukrainians, irrespective of sex, age or health condition.

Earlier, Russian propagandists fabricated a video, which they tried to pass off as a motivational clip for women from the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

Dmytro Badrak