russia Spreads New Disinformation to Disrupt Civilian Evacuations from Frontline Areas – Debunking Key False Claims
Following the recent adoption of a law enabling mandatory evacuation from areas of active or potential hostilities, russian propaganda has launched a new wave of disinformation. This is reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation, StopFake, and Detector Media. These information attacks are aimed at disrupting civilian evacuations, as well as intimidating and disorienting people.
Most of the key false claims target children as one of the most vulnerable groups. According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, pro-russian Telegram channels are actively spreading messages allegedly from residents of frontline communities, thanking russian soldiers and describing how they hid their children to avoid evacuation. Among such “reports” are fabricated claims about “children disappearing during evacuation” and even “organ trafficking”. There are also reports of direct threats against civilians.
Through these manipulations, russia seeks to intimidate people, force them to remain in combat zones for as long as possible, and use them as “human shields” to pursue its own criminal objectives.
Below, we outline the latest russian disinformation claims, debunk them, and remind once again: evacuation in Ukraine is aimed at protecting people’s lives and health.
False claim: Children go missing during evacuation, and evacuations are carried out without oversight.
Fact: Children are evacuated together with their parents or legal guardians. In exceptional cases, children may be evacuated without them, but in such situations they are placed under the care of guardianship authorities, and legal procedures provide for family reunification.
False claim: Due to crimes linked to Ukrainian evacuation, children should be hidden.
Fact: Claims about “crimes linked to Ukrainian evacuation” are disinformation aimed at spreading fear. Children should not be hidden. On the contrary, if evacuation is announced in your community, it is important to prepare to leave together as a family and move to safety as soon as possible. Evacuation is not a threat but a necessary step to save lives in wartime.
False claim: Under the new evacuation law, children across all of Ukraine (except Zakarpattia) will be forcibly taken away and relocated wherever the authorities choose. Conspiracy theorists actively spread this information, claiming that children will be used for “organ trafficking” or “dark rituals” and that the entire territory of Ukraine, except the Zakarpattia region, is a war zone.
Fact: This claim has absolutely no basis in the law. Evacuation applies only to areas of active or potential hostilities. Mandatory evacuation does not mean automatic removal of parental rights. It is preceded by multiple official announcements and clear guidance on evacuation routes and temporary accommodation options for families with children in safer areas.
russian PSYOP: In the Nikopol district of the Dnipropetrovsk region, the enemy is distributing leaflets containing threats and false claims. In these messages, russians urge civilians not to evacuate, warn against traveling in civilian vehicles (which they claim will be treated as “targets”), and call on residents to stay home and wait for the “crossing of the Dnipro”.
Fact: These are deliberate information provocations by occupying forces. Such threats are intended to justify their attacks on civilians, spread panic, and disorient the population. The Head of the Nikopol District Military Administration, Ivan Bazyliuk, has urged people to ignore provocations, disregard these leaflets, and report them immediately to law enforcement authorities.
Important:
russian propaganda does not just spread disinformation – it mirrors its own actions. It is russia that systematically carries out the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied territories, a fact documented internationally. In 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for vladimir putin and maria lvova-belova for crimes committed against Ukrainian children. It is also russia that carries out terror acts against civilians – those very acts it has explicitly foreshadowed in its own leaflets.
Please rely only on verified sources of information and do not share unconfirmed reports.
We urge residents of frontline areas to take care of themselves and their loved ones in advance. To arrange free evacuation or receive legal consultation, call Monday to Saturday (08:00–18:00): 0800 332 614.
📲 We also provide consultations via messengers:
+38 (099) 710 48 72 (Viber);
+38 (096) 108 60 48 (Telegram).
Evacuation is about safety and saving lives.
