Attributing Responsibility for Civilian Deaths to Ukraine via Mining and Shelter Conditions

What it claims

Deaths from mines in coastal zones and deficiencies in shelter infrastructure are passed off as proof that the real threat to Ukrainians comes from their own state rather than Russian aggression. Manipulators inflate tragic incidents to shift responsibility away from occupying forces and discredit the defensive measures of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

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 mine explosion incident in Kobleve proves that the threat to vacationers comes from mines placed by the Ukrainian military, not from Russia's actions.

  Лохматый Z Николаев, 7 Aug 2026 · Archived copy

• In the new shelters in Mykolaiv, which were heavily promoted by the authorities, there are no ramps, so people with disabilities are effectively deprived of protection.

  Лохматый Z Николаев, 6 Aug 2026

  t.me/L0HMATIY/37561

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Goal

Sow distrust in government agencies and military command by convincing civilians that security measures are more dangerous than the war itself.

Techniques used

• Appeal to Fear / PrejudiceUsing the tragic death of a man in Kobleve to claim that the main danger comes from “Ukrop mines” rather than the “aggressor.”
• Loaded LanguageUsing derogatory terms like “half-pint” for the mayor and “Ukrop militants” for the AFU to delegitimize authority.

The real grievance it exploits

The real fear of civilians regarding mine hazards in de-occupied or frontline territories and justified dissatisfaction with the pace of establishing inclusive shelters.

How to counter

• Reframe: Mining the coastline is a necessary defensive measure to prevent Russian landings, and the responsibility for the danger lies with the aggressor state that has made Ukraine the most mined country in the world.

Sources (all time)

• Лохматый Z НиколаевTier 135,143 subscribers
  3 posts · 6–8 Aug 2026

  • 8 Aug · t.me/L0HMATIY/37592
  • 7 Aug · Archived copy
  • 6 Aug · t.me/L0HMATIY/37561
• Open Ukraine| Открытая УкраинаTier 1181,484 subscribers
  1 post · 12 Aug 2026

  • 12 Aug · t.me/OpenUkraine/101237
• Политика СтраныTier 1331,215 subscribers
  2 posts · 22 Aug 2026

  • 22 Aug · t.me/stranaua/245806
  • 22 Aug · t.me/stranaua/245799