Truth Under Siege
Kharkiv’s Battle Against Russian Disinformation
As Russian attacks intensify on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, locals face another dangerous threat: disinformation.
Russia’s new military offensive in the northeastern region of Kharkiv in mid-May has been accompanied by an escalation in fake propaganda designed to confuse, demoralize, and frighten the population.
Disinformation has been central to Russia’s war efforts against Ukraine, dating back to before the 2014 invasion. Local human rights defenders (HRDs) in Kharkiv have been at the forefront of Ukraine’s fight against disinformation, tracking and debunking Russian-backed lies and conspiracies.
In recent weeks, Kharkiv has been the target of Russian disinformation that aims to create panic and undermine Ukraine’s armed forces and leadership. Russia has also been spreading lies about its recent July 8th attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, which killed dozens, including children, and injured even more.
Much of the latest wave of disinformation has been timed to coincide with fresh Russian advances into Ukraine towards the city of Kharkiv. On May 10, 2024, Russia launched a new offensive campaign in the Kharkiv region, resulting in Russian soldiers taking a series of villages on the road between the Russian border and the major city of Kharkiv, which is about 25 miles inside Ukraine.
Intense fighting is under way between Ukrainian and Russian forces in and around villages and towns such as Vovchansk, Lyptsi, and Kupiansk. The Institute for the Study of War has consistently reported that the Russian army is aiming to get within artillery range of Kharkiv city, as Ukrainian forces continue counterattacks north and northeast of Kharkiv.
In June 2024, Human Rights First traveled to Kharkiv to document how HRDs are confronting Russian disinformation and providing reliable information to vulnerable populations near the front lines.
Read the full report below.
