Russian propaganda spreads deepfake claiming Ukrainian troops withdrew from Kursk region

Russian propagandists have circulated a deepfake video alleging that Ukrainian servicemen from the 22nd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are dissatisfied with territorial defense forces for abandoning their positions, purportedly causing increased losses within the brigade. This fabricated video, initially shared on TikTok and later amplified by Russian Telegram channels, is part of an ongoing disinformation campaign.

Recently, a video began circulating widely on the TikTok social media platform and later on Russian Telegram channels. The video claims to feature servicemen from the 22nd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who are reportedly conducting combat missions in Russia's Kursk region. In the footage, the servicemen allegedly express dissatisfaction with territorial defense fighters, accusing them of abandoning their positions and "setting up neighboring units," which purportedly leads to increased losses within the brigade.

This video is a deepfake, as evidenced by several indicators: the mismatch between lip movements, flickering in the facial area, and unnatural blinking from one serviceman. The other two individuals in the video do not blink at all and appear unnatural. Furthermore, the video was intentionally published in poor quality, suggesting it was created using a neural network.

The TikTok account that posted this deepfake is also suspicious. It contains only two videos, the first of which was uploaded on October 15 and allegedly shows Ukrainian soldiers being encouraged by a voice-over. The account is crafted to appear pro-Ukrainian, featuring an avatar of a child holding a Ukrainian flag and pro-Ukrainian hashtags under the video. Such minimally populated, overtly patriotic accounts are commonly used by Russian propagandists to disseminate false information about Ukraine.

The press service of the 22nd Separate Mechanized Brigade stated in a comment to Ukrinform that none of the individuals shown in the video published by Russian propagandists are soldiers serving in their unit.

Such fakes are intended to discredit the Ukrainian Armed Forces while promoting the narrative that Russia, as the so-called "world's second-strongest army," instills fear in Ukrainians, causing them to flee their positions. This disinformation arises because Ukraine's operations in the Kursk region have become a sensitive issue for the Russian army, prompting them to use any means, including fakes, to fabricate a sense of victory.

Earlier, Ukrinform debunked fakes by which Russian propaganda attempted to discredit the achievements of a Ukrainian anti-aircraft gunner who successfully shot down a Russian missile using an Igla MANPADS.

Dmytro Badrak