The recent declaration of a ceasefire by Russia, juxtaposed with indications of a potential large-scale offensive against Ukraine, has been characterized as a tactic of psychological manipulation. This assertion was made by Andriy Yusov, deputy head of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, during the “Security Architecture 2026” forum.
Yusov emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the duration of the ceasefire announced by President Vladimir Putin. He noted that preparations for potential attacks have been ongoing, and the absence of training alarms since the onset of the full-scale invasion has heightened the psychological pressure on the population.
“Certainly, people have been preparing for shelling, and rightly so. This is also a form of pressure and psychological influence—demonstrating readiness for attacks, then retracting or postponing them,” Yusov stated.
According to Yusov, Russia employs a combination of military and psychological tactics aimed at the Ukrainian populace, which has been living under the stress of war for over four years. He acknowledged that the fatigue and burden experienced by civilians are elements exploited by the adversary.
Yusov urged that Ukrainian security and defense forces remain vigilant and prepared for every potential attack. He highlighted the importance of intelligence gathering to support military and political leadership, while also stressing that civilians should respond responsibly to air raid alerts.
In a related statement, Yuri Ushakov, an aide to President Putin, asserted that no attacks had been carried out against Kyiv over the recent weekend as part of the declared ceasefire for the Trinity holiday. He indicated that this proposal was communicated to U.S. President Donald Trump through special envoy Steve Witkoff, and it applies solely to long-range strikes, with no implications for frontline engagements.
Ukrainian presidential advisor Dmytro Lytvyn refuted claims suggesting that Russia had postponed strikes on Ukrainian regions. He maintained that Russia continues to prepare for new large-scale assaults, asserting that such statements do not reflect any genuine intention by Putin to reduce the intensity of hostilities.
The article examines Russia's recent military tactics, highlighting the psychological strategies employed alongside ongoing threats of attacks against Ukraine. Officials emphasize the importance of vigilance among both military and civilian populations amid the complex dynamics of the conflict.