The Security Service of Ukraine has stated that it has uncovered preparations by Russia for a possible information and psychological special operation targeting the temporarily occupied town of Oleshky in the Kherson region. According to the SBU’s operational intelligence, one of the units of the occupying forces has allegedly been ordered to prepare a series of «compromising» interviews with local residents.
Briefly about the main points
- The SBU has stated that there may be a Russian cyberattack targeting Oleshky.
- According to the service, the occupiers may have been staging interviews with local residents.
- The SBU has outlined possible narratives for videos depicting shelling and the «blockade» of the city.
- The calendar year of the planned campaign is not specified in the announcement.
What the SBU said about the plan for the operation
Pros. data The SBU stated that it had obtained information about the preparations for the campaign during the course of its counter-intelligence operations. The agency said that the planned videos were intended to discredit the Defence Forces and the Ukrainian military and political leadership.
Information regarding the order issued to the occupying unit, as well as the content and production of the videos, constitutes operational intelligence from the SBU. The agency has not reported on any videos that have already been recorded or released.
What narratives might have been used in the video?
According to the SBU, Participants in such interviews were to accuse the Ukrainian Defence Forces of constant shelling and the blockade of Oleshky, to discredit the Ukrainian leadership and to express gratitude to the Russian military.
The SBU has indicated that the campaign is expected to run from «October to early November this year». However, as the date of publication of the announcement is not specified, the calendar year to which this forecast refers needs to be clarified.
Background information on Oleshky and IPSO
Oleshki The Kherson region has been under temporary Russian occupation since 24 February 2022. In April 2026, the head of the Kherson Regional State Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, estimated the number of people remaining in the city at around 2,000 and reported a humanitarian blockade.
IPSO is an information and psychological special operation. According to the definition provided by the Centre for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defence Council, it involves the dissemination of specially prepared information designed to influence emotions, behaviour and public opinion.
The SBU has called on the public and the media to take a critical view of «sensational» reports, not to circulate unverified information, and to check facts against official sources.
