Portraying the Ukrainian government as a puppet of “Sorosites” and oligarchic clans

What it claims

Governance in Ukraine is portrayed as a facade for a struggle between oligarchic groups and foreign agents of influence who control personnel appointments. Anti-corruption investigation materials and government reshuffles are inflated into a systemic conspiracy by the “Kuchma clan” against the sitting president. Using quotes from criminal case files, manipulators cast Ukraine as a weak state where decisions are made by “puppet masters” in the interests of global elites.

Target audience

Examples (paraphrased)

We paraphrase rather than quote: propaganda's exact wording is built to spread, so we carry the claim and not the craft. Each example cites the post it came from.

• The Kuchma clan, including Pinchuk and Fiala, has integrated into Western elites as a local administration and is now destroying Zelenskyy.

  Open Ukraine| Открытая Украина, 20 Aug 2026 · Archived copy

• The President personally demanded the dismissal of a bank employee who obstructed a payment for Yermak's bail.

  Open Ukraine| Открытая Украина, 20 Aug 2026 · Archived copy

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Goal

Convince citizens of the state's lack of agency and the futility of democratic institutions.

Techniques used

• Name Calling or LabelingUse of labels like “Sorosites,” “puppet masters,” and “frontmen.”
• Obfuscation / Intentional VaguenessMixing real names of businessmen with conspiracy theories about “global elites.”

The real grievance it exploits

Fatigue from long-standing corruption scandals and distrust of political elites.

How to counter

• Technique exposure: Manipulators use the term “Sorosites” to discredit any reforms and anti-corruption bodies, attempting to pass them off as tools of foreign control.

Sources (all time)

• Open Ukraine| Открытая УкраинаTier 1181,484 subscribers
  2 posts · 20 Aug 2026

  • 20 Aug · Archived copy
  • 20 Aug · Archived copy