Fake certificate: Russia targets families of fallen Ukrainian soldiers with disinformation

Russian media and Telegram channels are spreading a photo showing a man in a suit presenting an elderly woman with a bouquet of flowers and a certificate. The document, allegedly from the Chernihiv City Council, claims the woman was being honored "for raising a hero (posthumously)." The accompanying captions suggest that Ukraine merely gives out certificates in recognition of fallen soldiers, implying that the authorities are indifferent to the sacrifices of their defenders and their families.

This is a fake. The photo cannot be found on the official website or social media accounts of the Chernihiv City Council.

The Chernihiv City Council's press office confirmed to an Ukrinform correspondent that the certificate in the circulated image is a fabrication.

"The certificate shown in the image is not issued by the Chernihiv City Council. The only officially approved honor is the Honorary Certificate of the Chernihiv City Council and Executive Committee," the press service stated.

They added that the official certificate is printed on an A5-sized two-part form and contains completely different design elements and wording.

In fact, the fake certificate seen in the image can easily be found on stock image websites online.

Disrespect toward military personnel is, in reality, typical of Russia. For example, families of Russian soldiers from the Republic of Tuva who were killed in Ukraine were reportedly given dumplings and circus tickets as compensation.

This latest disinformation campaign appears to be aimed at spreading the false narrative that Ukrainian heroes are undervalued by both the government and society. The goal is to demoralize and weaken Ukraine's resistance.

Earlier, Russian propaganda spread a false claim that Ukrainians had killed 12 staff members of recruitment centers following Russian strikes.

Andriy Olenin