Executive Summary:
Russian forces are using artificial intelligence-generated and manipulated videos to fabricate territorial gains in Ukraine, including around Kupiansk this month. These videos supplement traditional flag-raising operations and seek to create the appearance of battlefield success for Russian and foreign audiences.
False battlefield reporting can distort Russian commanders’ understanding of the war against Ukraine and contribute to tactical errors. Repeatedly claiming territorial gains that have not occurred, reinforced by fabricated visual evidence, can obscure actual frontline conditions from higher command.
Controlled information operations can support battlefield objectives when synchronized with military operations. Delayed disclosures, accurate footage, and targeted refutations can deny Russia operational intelligence while strengthening domestic and international confidence in Ukraine’s military position while undermining trust in Russian claims.
Control of the city of Kupiansk has become a primary focus of Russian attacks in Kharkiv oblast since late 2025. Amid limited or contested battlefield progress, Russian military authorities and pro-war bloggers have repeatedly promoted exaggerated or false claims of territorial gains. On October 2, a Russian military blogger posted a video on Telegram purporting to show the capture of part of the city of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, a suburb of Kupiansk, by Russian forces. The terrain, however, especially the...
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