In the lead-up to May 9, Russia has intensified its use of drones to drop propaganda materials in border areas of Ukraine. These leaflets mimic Ukrainian currency and contain dangerous QR codes alongside calls for a “joint celebration of Victory Day.”
Content and Purpose of the Leaflets
The leaflets are designed to resemble Ukrainian banknotes, featuring QR codes with unknown content. They include messages aimed at discrediting Ukraine’s military and political leadership, as well as references to World War II that encourage a collective commemoration. This tactic of using fake currency has previously been employed by Russia in regions such as Sumy and Kharkiv.
Photo: Fake banknotes being distributed in border areas (t.me/CenterCounteringDisinformation)
Recommended Actions
The Center for Countering Disinformation advises the public to avoid scanning suspicious QR codes, refrain from handling enemy propaganda materials, and report any findings to the police or via the SBU chat-bot @stop_russian_war_bot.
Furthermore, the Center has refuted claims from the Kremlin regarding President Vladimir Putin’s supposed willingness to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. They assert that the Russian leader is not genuinely interested in ending the conflict, and that statements about negotiations are manipulative in nature.
Additionally, the proposal for a ceasefire on May 9 is viewed by the Center as a tactic stemming from the Kremlin’s inability to ensure security even in Moscow prior to a major propaganda event. This suggests that the Kremlin is attempting to mask its vulnerabilities under the guise of a peace initiative.
As May 9 approaches, Russia is ramping up its propaganda activities in Ukraine, including the distribution of misleading leaflets. These efforts coincide with the Kremlin's attempts to manipulate perceptions regarding its readiness for negotiations, which experts view as a tactic to obscure its vulnerabilities.