Fabricated Video and Misinformation Campaign
A deceptive video disguised as a France 24 news segment has been circulating widely on social media. It falsely claims that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree to construct a memorial for UPA leaders in Volyn. However, France 24 has officially confirmed that it never produced such a report, and the supposed decree is entirely fabricated.
The document number cited in the video actually refers to a different legislative initiative: real bill No. 15360, which proposes establishing a national Pantheon in Kyiv—not a separate UPA complex in Volyn. The fake video also alleges that the European Union would fund the 70-million-dollar project and that construction would begin on July 11, a date when Poland commemorates the victims of the Volyn tragedy.
Goal of the Disinformation
This disinformation aims to undermine unity between Ukraine and Poland. The hoax is part of a Russian information operation, aligning with the second wave of a Kremlin disinformation campaign leading up to July 11. The use of forged videos and international media logos is a hallmark tactic of the Russian disinformation network, particularly the 'Matryoshka' technique.
To amplify this false narrative, the propaganda outlet Russia Today published a piece on July 5, citing allegedly declassified FSB archives. That article accused Dmytro Klyachkivsky (Klym Savur), a commander of the UPA-North, of killing 11 Catholic priests and nearly 2,000 Poles in Volodymyr-Volynskyi in the summer of 1943. Tensions between Kyiv and Warsaw over the UPA issue have been building since May, when Zelenskyy granted the honorary name 'Heroes of the UPA' to the Separate Center for Special Operations North, prompting a strong reaction from Polish President Karol Nawrocki.
- The European Parliament also criticized this decision in a resolution.
- Russia has repeatedly circulated fake documents, including a letter from a Ukrainian minister and fabricated videos, aiming to disrupt exhumation work in Poland.
Historian Volodymyr Viatrovych noted, 'The casualty figures cited in these documents are not supported by any other sources—Polish, Ukrainian, or German.'
This situation highlights the need for critical evaluation of online information, especially on historical issues that can strain bilateral relations. Disinformation campaigns like this one are designed to erode trust between Ukraine and Poland, making public awareness essential to resisting manipulation. Given the complex historical ties between the two countries, such efforts could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability.
Amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Poland, the recent wave of disinformation has not gone unnoticed. For a deeper understanding of the tactics employed to create discord, including the role of forged documents in shaping historical narratives, read more about the FSB's efforts to manipulate perceptions of the Volyn tragedy.