UKRAINIAN forces brought down a Russian drone carrying “propaganda” with a “cyber-phishing” QR code.
Armed with a warhead and “trap” leaflets, the Shahed was en route to Kyiv when it was intercepted on Wednesday evening.
The leaflets allege the existence of a “Ukrainian volunteer brigade” within Russia‘s and ask Ukrainians to help name it.
Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine‘s unmanned systems forces, shared photos of the leaflets on social media.
“A Russian drone was shot down near the combat positions of the Birds of the 427th Rarog Separate Brigade that was carrying a stack of enemy propaganda leaflets along with its warhead.
“It is just the right time for the worms to try to destabilise Ukraine with information-psychological operations, at a moment when society is being torpedoed with disinformation, a mix of the sinful and the righteous.”
Brovdi added: “If you find such a postcard, – don’t scan.
“It is highly likely that it’s an enemy trap to steal your data or infect your smartphone with a virus.”
The commander said the incident was part of the Russian psychological operations against Ukraine, combining attacks on cities with attempts to influence public opinion.
This comes as Russia is trying – but failing – to control the narrative around the , positioning itself as a heroic liberator.
A Russian pro-war blogger has now stopped posting online after pointing out the residents overwhelmingly favoured evacuation to Ukraine – not Russia.
Vladimir Romanov, who runs the Telegram channel “Romanov Lite” with more than 150,000 subscribers, has been silent since October 31.
He posted and then later deleted a message on his channel that said only four buses filled had departed for Russia during the ceasefire, as opposed to 17 buses that carried evacuees to Ukrainian territory.
“On TV, they’ll most likely show more of our buses, but the windows will be completely curtained off,” the since-deleted message read.
Other pro-Putin sources turned on Romanov, accusing him of treachery.
One of the Kremlin’s best-known propagandists Vladimir Solovyov, ranted on state TV: “What kind of degenerate blogger are you [Vladimir Romanov] – somehow ending up in Oleshky, writing something, and then sheepishly deleting your post?
“You’re a scumbag, and you belong in prison. It’s not even clear how you got there or what you were doing there.
“You’re a piece of filth who should be behind bars. You’re an accomplice to the enemy.
“Knowing nothing, understanding nothing, you’re just providing grist for the enemy’s mill.”
Romanov’s whereabouts are currently unknown. The Russian authorities have not denied reports of his arrest.
