Russian Propaganda Blames Ukraine for Deadly Yarova Strike – Disinformation Exposed

Russian propagandists are trying to shift responsibility for the deaths of 25 people in the village of Yarova, Donetsk region, onto Ukraine. This is one example of an information campaign with disinformation monitored by the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD).

On September 9, pro-Kremlin media circulated a staged video featuring a woman who claims that the strike on the village was a “provocation by Kyiv” – allegedly she was told that it was an “artillery shelling by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.” The video contains no evidence – emotional statements and references to other people’s words, which is a typical manipulation. Russia systematically uses civilians to create fake “testimonies,” – writes the CCD.

“Pro-Kremlin media are circulating a staged video with a woman who claims that the strike on the village was “provocation by Kyiv” – allegedly she was told that it was an “artillery shelling by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.” The video contains no evidence – emotional statements and references to other people’s words, which is a typical manipulation. Russia systematically uses civilians to create fake “testimonies,” – writes the CCD.

What is known about the shelling and its consequences

At 10:53 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, Russian forces carried out an airstrike on the Ukrposhta mobile post office in the village of Yarova in Donetsk region, where the Ukrainian postal service was issuing pensions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that more than 20 people who came to receive pensions were killed.

The driver and the head of the post office survived. According to the head of Ukrposhta’s regional branch, Sutkov, they survived the strike.

The death toll stands at 25. Most of the dead were pensioners. Also 19 people were injured in the strike.

“Their actions show signs of criminal offenses defined by Article 345 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, ‘Threat or violence against a law enforcement officer,’ and Article 194 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, ‘Deliberate destruction or damage of property.’ The relevant notices have been sent to the National Police

This event underscores the importance of verifying information in the information warfare for the audience’s awareness: propaganda seeks to shift responsibility onto Ukraine. The Center for Countering Disinformation continues monitoring materials and clarifying facts to reduce the impact of disinformation.