Andriy Yusov, Deputy Head of the Coordination Staff for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, has stated that Russia’s display of readiness for a large-scale strike against Ukraine, followed by an announcement of a ceasefire, is a tactic aimed at psychological manipulation.
Yusov emphasized that the recent bombardments have prompted appropriate preparations among civilians. He noted that there have been no training alerts since the onset of the full-scale invasion, indicating that the threat of attacks is a significant psychological pressure tactic employed by Russia.
According to Yusov, the Russian strategy combines military action with psychological influence, targeting Ukrainians who have been living under stress for over four years due to the ongoing conflict. He remarked, “This fatigue and burden are also elements of pressure that the enemy exploits. However, we must remain vigilant. This means that security and defense forces are preparing for every attack. Intelligence is gathering data to inform military and political leadership, while civilians must responsibly respond to air raid alerts and be ready to act accordingly.”
In related developments, Russian media reported that Yuri Ushakov, an aide to President Vladimir Putin, claimed that Russia did not carry out strikes on Kyiv over the weekend as part of a ceasefire for Trinity. Ushakov mentioned that this proposal was communicated to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who then relayed it to President Donald Trump. However, he clarified that this ceasefire only applies to long-range strikes and does not extend to frontline operations.
Ukrainian presidential advisor Dmytro Lytvyn has denied claims that Russia has postponed attacks on Ukrainian regions, asserting that the threat remains active.
Andriy Yusov has accused Russia of using psychological tactics to manipulate the situation in Ukraine, particularly through threats of bombardments. As claims of a ceasefire circulate, Ukrainian officials maintain that the threat of attacks is ongoing.