Attributing “terrorism” to Ukraine through the use of drones

What it claims

Ukrainian strikes on military targets and defense enterprises are portrayed as terrorist activities against the Russian civilian population. This framing aims to justify Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian industry as “anti-terror measures.”

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.

• A missile strike on the Terminal Autonomy plant in Kyiv will supposedly stop Ukraine's “terrorist attacks” against Russia.

  Igor Korotchenko, 1 Aug 2026

  x.com/i_korotchenko/status/2083455392697450699

• The destruction of drone production in Kyiv is presented as a necessary step to protect Russian territory from “terror.”

  Igor Korotchenko, 1 Aug 2026

  x.com/i_korotchenko/status/2083455392697450699

We link archived copies rather than the posts themselves, so that checking our work sends no traffic to the source. Where a platform cannot be archived, we print the post's address instead of linking it.

Goal

Legitimize strikes on Ukrainian cities in the eyes of the Russian public and demonize the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Techniques used

• Name Calling or LabelingUsing the label “terrorist attacks” to describe the combat operations of the AFU.

The real grievance it exploits

A sense of vulnerability and fear among residents of Russian regions due to regular drone attacks on infrastructure facilities.

How to counter

• Reframe: According to international law, strikes on defense industry enterprises producing weapons for the aggressor are legitimate military targets in the context of self-defense.

Sources (all time)

• Лохматый Z НиколаевTier 135,156 subscribers
  2 posts · 30–31 Jul 2026

  • 31 Jul · t.me/L0HMATIY/37474
  • 30 Jul · t.me/L0HMATIY/37449
• ЛегитимныйTier 11,010,537 subscribers
  3 posts · 1–3 Aug 2026

  • 3 Aug · t.me/legitimniy/22968
  • 2 Aug · t.me/legitimniy/22951
  • 1 Aug · t.me/legitimniy/22950
• Анатолий ШарийTier 11,641,018 subscribers
  1 post · 3 Aug 2026

  • 3 Aug · t.me/ASupersharij/58192
• Open Ukraine| Открытая УкраинаTier 1181,397 subscribers
  3 posts · 2–3 Aug 2026

  • 3 Aug · t.me/OpenUkraine/100921
  • 3 Aug · t.me/OpenUkraine/100919
  • 2 Aug · t.me/OpenUkraine/100858
• Igor KorotchenkoTier 1152,000 followers
  1 post · 1 Aug 2026

  • 1 Aug · x.com/i_korotchenko/status/2083455392697450699