Russian propaganda invents fake claim about Ukrainian stores switching to prices in 'conventional units'

Russian Telegram channels have circulated photos of what they claim is an announcement from a Ukrainian electronics retail chain. The posts assert that because of fluctuations in foreign currencies, product prices will supposedly be displayed in "conventional units." The posts also include images of allegedly updated price tags.

However, this claim is false. The images were supposedly taken inside a store belonging to the Ukrainian retail chain Foxtrot, but they were edited using graphic software. In particular, propagandists replaced the text of the announcement and altered elements of a promotional stand, whose original image had actually been published back in 2020.

The original photo featuring a DualShock 4 controller for PlayStation consoles was taken around five or six years ago. This controller belongs to a previous generation of Sony consoles, while since 2020 the current model has been the DualSense controller. Such devices are commonly called "gamepads" or "controllers," not "joysticks," as claimed in the propaganda posts.

In addition, the DualShock 4 is no longer listed for sale on the official Foxtrot website, and the product code shown on the fake price tag does not exist in the store's online catalog.

Another image circulated by Russian channels, allegedly showing a smartphone with a Foxtrot price tag, is also fabricated. First, the correct website address of the retailer is www.foxtrot.com.ua, whereas the fake image shows www.foxtrot.ua. Second, the format of the price tags in the edited image does not match the design actually used in Foxtrot stores, where yellow labels and the promotional slogan "Khoch" can be seen on real photos and videos.

Both on the official website and in physical Foxtrot stores, all prices are listed in Ukrainian hryvnia, and there are no announcements about switching to pricing in "conventional units."

Moreover, back in 2012, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, banned the use of foreign currencies in advertising prices for goods and services.

The fake is part of a Russian disinformation campaign aimed at promoting narratives about the alleged inability of the Ukrainian government to maintain economic stability, undermining public trust in the authorities, and spreading panic among the population.

Earlier, Russian propaganda also fabricated a story about livestock in France allegedly being "infected" by Ukrainian animal feed.

Andriy Olenin