Russian bots boost efforts to sow panic on social media - General Staff

A network of bots that sow panic has intensified on social networks, while malign messages are being sent from newly created accounts of seemingly "patriotic" users.

This was announced on Facebook by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

WARNING! Across social networks, the enemy has activated a large network of bots, trying to sow panic and despair in the people of Ukraine! There are a lot of messages like "Everything is lost!", "Help Kyiv (Kherson, Chernihiv, etc. depending on the operational situation)", "We have all been abandoned!" etc. Such messages are being spread from the newly-created ‘patriotic’ accounts decorated with Ukrainian symbols, with both Ukrainian and Russian languages being used," the statement reads.

The General Staff recalled that all information must be verified, and called on the people to trust verified sources only.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine and launched a large-scale invasion.

Russian troops have been killing civilians, shelling and destroying key infrastructure, and their missiles have been hitting Ukrainian households.

Martial law was imposed in Ukraine and general mobilization was announced. The Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the support of the entire nation, are courageously resisting aggression.