Deepfake videos of Ukrainian Deputy PM Stefanishyna spread in disinformation campaign
Russian Telegram channels spread deepfake videos depicting Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna supporting fictional plans to ban women aged 18-27 from leaving the country, as part of a disinformation campaign claiming Ukraine was planning mandatory female mobilization. The Center for Countering Disinformation debunked the videos and claims, stating the operation aimed to sow panic among Ukrainians.
What happened
Russian Telegram channels disseminated deepfake videos allegedly featuring Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna proposing to legally ban women aged 18 to 27 from traveling abroad, and claiming the Verkhovna Rada supported this initiative.
The deepfake videos were part of a broader disinformation operation spreading false claims about plans for mandatory mobilization of women in Ukraine starting September 1, 2025, and lowering the age threshold for mobilization to 18 years.
Reported impact
The Center for Countering Disinformation stated the purpose of such information fakes is to sow panic among Ukrainians and destabilize the situation in the rear.
Index analysis
In reality, there are no plans for the mobilization of women in Ukraine, no bills under consideration by the Verkhovna Rada proposing such changes, and no government decisions or statements by Ukrainian officials about mass mobilization of women.
Governance controls
The Center for Countering Disinformation refuted the deepfake videos and disinformation campaign, calling on the public to trust only verified sources of information and not succumb to enemy provocations.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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