In a recent incident, Russian military forces deployed drones to drop counterfeit banknotes across several cities in the Sumy region of Ukraine. These notes, discovered in the morning, contain messages urging residents to provide coordinates of Ukrainian positions and to overthrow the current government for monetary rewards.
The fake currency was found in two districts, specifically in the cities of Sumy, Hlukhiv, and Shostka. The banknotes feature hostile messages, including:
- Requests for information on Ukrainian military locations;
- Offers to direct fire in exchange for payment;
- Calls to dismantle the existing government.
Additionally, the notes include QR codes that link to adversarial websites. Authorities have confirmed the recovery of these items for further examination.
The police and local officials have issued warnings to the public, advising against handling the counterfeit bills or scanning the QR codes. Individuals who encounter suspicious items are encouraged to contact law enforcement or emergency services immediately.
This tactic of using drones for disseminating misleading materials is part of a broader strategy employed by Russian forces, aimed at influencing local populations through provocation and misinformation, according to local authorities.
Russian forces have been using drones to drop fake currency in the Sumy region, spreading messages that encourage residents to betray their country. Authorities have responded by warning the public against engaging with these counterfeit notes.