The Russian forces want to create panic in Kharkiv and Sumy to influence the locals. They also want to use this topic to promote the negotiations, according to the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko.
“The main aim of Russian propaganda right now is an attempt to create panic in Kharkiv and Sumy, to convince people that these limited actions in the border area of Kharkiv region are the beginning of an offensive on Kharkiv,” he said.
According to him, they will try to cause panic, they have been doing it for several months.
“Panic in Kharkiv and Sumy would allow the enemy to further promote the topic of negotiations, the topic of peace on Russian terms. And Putin's statements that he is ready for negotiations, but Russian troops should not leave the occupied territories, are aimed at frightening Ukrainians,” Kovalenko explained.
The head of the Center for Countering Disinformation also said that everything will revolve around creating panic and presenting limited actions in the border area as preparations for an offensive.
What preceded it
Recently, Russian troops began advancing in the north of the Kharkiv region and seized a number of settlements. At the same time, Ukrainian troops are holding back the offensive.
However, Ukraine's top military leadership admits that the Russian army may start acting in other directions. Recently, the head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, said that Russia could launch an offensive further north of Kharkiv, in the Sumy region.