DISINFO: Ukrainians blame Zelenskyy for Sumy strike
SUMMARY
Ukrainians blame Zelenskyy for the Sumy strike. After Russia struck a military site in Sumy, Volodymyr Zelensky claimed civilians were targeted, but the Russian Ministry of Defense argued military objects were placed in civilian areas. The EU condemned Russia, but Ukrainians are increasingly sceptical of Zelensky’s narrative, questioning the official story. In social media comments, they don't hide their anger.
RESPONSE
This disinformation story is part of a wider attempt to deflect Russia’s responsibility for the Sumy massacre on 13 April 2025, when Russia attacked the city center during a religious celebration, killing 35 civilians and injuring another 117.
There is no actual evidence that the messages quoted in this disinformation story are real. Even if they were, nothing indicates that they are representative of the opinions of a majority of Ukrainians, and in fact quotes and testimonies of Ukrainian citizens gathered by real reporters on the ground in Sumy point in the opposite direction. However, this disinformation story cherry-picks and presents these isolated messages as the feeling of most Ukrainians, aiming to undermine Ukraine’s leadership and president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Not only Russian allegations about attacking a military target remain unsubstantiated, but the fact that it hit the center of a populated city with a double-tap missile strike proves Russia’s intention to kill non-combatants, which is a war crime.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Zelenskyy’s regime lacks public support, that the Nazi Zelenskyy regime is within months of falling, that Russia only attacks military facilities in Ukraine, that Ukraine violates international humanitarian law while Russia respects it, that Russia wages war humanely and does not hit civilians, that Ukraine was plotting false-flag strike on its own children’s institution, or that there should be a UN-led government in Ukraine as Zelenskyy is toxic for peace.