Russian fake news: Ukrainian schoolchildren 'forced' to wear helmets in support of Heraskevych
Russian media outlets, propaganda Telegram channels, and bot accounts on X are spreading images allegedly from a school in Lutsk. The photos show children wearing boxing, cycling, motorcycle, and construction helmets along with traditional embroidered shirts. Propagandists claim that on February 16, the administration of an educational institution in the Volyn region supposedly forced students to take part in a "Helmet of Remembrance" campaign in support of Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych and other athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
This is false. The photos were digitally manipulated: helmets were added to authentic images using graphic editing software.
The original photographs can be found on the website of Hlushytsia School in the Rivne region – not in the Volyn region as claimed by propagandists. The images were published back in May 2019 to mark Vyshyvanka Day.
Propagandists also circulated a supposed announcement from the school administration asking parents to "prepare" students for the "Helmet of Remembrance" campaign in support of Olympians. The notice allegedly instructed children to come to school in "Ukrainian" clothing. However, native Ukrainian speakers would not use such wording in this context.
The fake announcement was printed and photographed from an angle that makes it impossible to determine the location – a typical feature of Russian disinformation materials.
Through this fabrication, Russian propagandists are attempting to convince audiences that Ukrainians are being forced to support Heraskevych amid a controversy involving the International Olympic Committee over his alleged disqualification related to the "Helmet of Remembrance."
In reality, the IOC's decision regarding the athlete sparked outrage among citizens both in Ukraine and abroad. For example, members of the Ukrainian community in Milan held a peaceful flash mob in support of Heraskevych.
Since the start of the 2026 Olympics, Russian propaganda has intensified efforts to discredit Ukraine and its athletes.
Previously, Russian outlets also spread fake stories aimed at discrediting Ukrainian refugees ahead of the Olympics.
Andriy Olenin
