Pro-Kremlin operation weaponises investigative media to claim Ukraine uses orphans to clear mines

Published on 12/09/2025 - 10:34 GMT+2

Disinformation circulating connected societal media platforms falsely accuses the Ukrainian authorities of utilizing susceptible groups — specified arsenic orphans, radical with disabilities and aged civilians — to wide unsafe landmines.

Perhaps astir shockingly, the mendacious claims are attributed to renowned investigative media outlet Bellingcat and their journalist, Galen Reich.

A video circulating online, which EuroVerify estimates has been viewed implicit 10 cardinal times connected X alone, claims Bellingcat confirmed their purported "revelations" utilizing outer imagery that showed Ukrainian civilians successful mined areas of Ukraine.

The video besides includes a screenshot of a Bellingcat nonfiction which allegedly recounts the investigation.

The nonfiction successful question does exist, but successful information tells the communicative of workers from the Halo Trust, an NGO that clears landmines and different explosive devices from struggle areas.

Responding to an enquiry by Euroverify, Bellingcat said that "this is not based connected the enactment of Bellingcat oregon Galen Reich."

The fake video besides claims Reich interviewed the manager of Age Concern Ukraine — an NGO which supports susceptible aged radical successful Ukraine — Galyna Polyakova, who purportedly accused the Kyiv authorities of taking susceptible radical to landmines from infirmary wards.

Polyakova told Euronews that the video is simply a "lie", adding that she had "never fixed an interrogation to immoderate Bellingcat journalist."

There is nary information down these claims, and the propagandists person weaponised investigative journalists and professionals specified arsenic Polyakova successful their operations.

The video bears the tell-tale signs of Russian power operations, and has been shared by known disinformation actors.

Links to Prigozhin's R-FBI

The video besides carries the logo of Foundation to Battle Injustice (R-FBI), a radical founded successful 2021 by Russian mercenary person Yevgeny Prigozhin, who died successful a level clang successful 2023, 2 months aft helium led a failed mutiny against Russia's subject leadership.

R-FBI — which has been sanctioned by the European Union — was acceptable up to papers alleged quality rights violations and injustices committed by the West, but has been progressive successful respective targeted disinformation campaigns against Ukraine and the West.

Since Prigozhin's death, R-FBI has been managed by Oksana Vovk, who present operates nether the sanction Mira Terada, and who was antecedently imprisoned successful the US for wealth laundering.

The radical besides amplifies the activities of Storm-1516, a highly palmy pro-Russian disinformation cognition that discredits Ukraine and aims to undermine the stableness and ideology successful Europe and the West

Other campaigns orchestrated by R-FBI see unfounded claims that the German authorities is readying to legalise paedophilia.

The radical is known to person recruited alleged "influencers" that amplify their fake reports.