Russian fake: Life-size printed figure of mobilized relative can be ordered in Ukraine

Pro-Kremlin media outlets and Telegram channels are actively spreading misleading information that a life-size cardboard cutout of a mobilized relative can be ordered in Ukraine. Such a service is allegedly offered by Mars-Reklama, a printing house located in Poltava. For evidence, the propagandists published a photo and video of the advertisement with the real address and phone numbers in the post. They added that a life-size cutout could be useful for Ukrainians at family holidays and events.

This is a fake. There is no information about such a service on the official resources of the printing house.

A representative of the organization told Ukrinform that the ad was fake.

"Although the company is engaged in manufacturing life-size figures, we specialize in the figures of actors, performers and stars, but we do not do anything similar to what is mentioned in the fake ad," the company representative added.

The prototype of this fake first appeared in Russia. On January 4, 2024, Russian media reported that Mikhail Kozyrev, a member of the United Russia party and deputy of the Vologda City Duma, suggested on his social media page to present the relatives of those mobilized with the life-size figures with their portraits "so that families can celebrate Christmas together." This situation angered some users on social media. Later, Kozyrev stated that he had not published such a post and that the screenshot, which was actively used by Russian media, had been fabricated.

It is likely that Russian propaganda, having analyzed the reaction of its fellow citizens to such a fake, decided to start spreading it in the Ukrainian information space.

Earlier, Ukrinform wrote that Russian propaganda, using fakes, was trying to convince people that following Russia's annexation of Crimea, life on the peninsula became much better.

Dmytro Badrak