Russia continues its large-scale information and psychological operation targeting the residents of Sumy Oblast.

After failing to achieve its objectives through military pressure, the Kremlin has once again intensified its information campaign, using fear, uncertainty, and public fatigue as instruments of influence.

According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, Russian information resources are spreading narratives claiming that Sumy is allegedly being prepared for surrender, that the authorities have abandoned efforts to restore critical infrastructure, and that they are concealing the real situation in the region. Particular emphasis is placed on water supply issues and the consequences of Russian strikes against civilian infrastructure.

How this information operation works

The scenario is not new and has already been employed by Russia in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, and Kherson.

It begins with the creation of an information trigger — a real problem or the aftermath of Russian shelling. This is then followed by a manipulative explanation: “The authorities are doing nothing,” “The city is being prepared for surrender,” or “The leadership has already decided to retreat.” Afterward, a network of anonymous Telegram channels, TikTok accounts, and bots is used to create the illusion of widespread public dissatisfaction.

A telling example was a video featuring an alleged resident of Sumy complaining about low water pressure. The original source turned out to be an anonymous account posing as a Ukrainian servicemember. This scheme is typical of Russian intelligence services: first, trust in the account is built through neutral content, after which destructive messages are introduced.

Why Sumy?

Sumy Oblast remains a border region that is constantly subjected to both military and psychological pressure from Russia.

The Kremlin is attempting to create among the local population a sense that an offensive is inevitable and that the state is powerless in the face of the threat.

Following statements by the Russian leadership claiming that Russian troops were allegedly operating close to Sumy, the information campaign intensified sharply. Its primary objective is to convince people that resistance is futile and that evacuation or panic is the only possible course of action.

Analysis: Information preparation ahead of military activity

Russia’s actions over recent years demonstrate a clear pattern: the intensification of information and psychological operations (IPSO) often coincides with preparations for military operations or an escalation of terror against civilians.

Information pressure is used to undermine society’s resilience and create an atmosphere of chaos even before active combat operations or large-scale strikes begin.

The primary objective of such operations is not to convince every citizen that the fake narratives are true. It is sufficient if part of the population begins to doubt, while another part actively spreads rumors. Doubt and distrust are the principal weapons of modern information operations.

Research into Russia’s information campaigns shows that Russian propaganda actively employs the methods of agenda setting and framing—shaping public discourse by imposing preferred topics and interpretations of events.

What citizens should do

Signs of an information attack include:

  • emotionally charged messages without verified sources;
  • references to “insiders” or anonymous channels;
  • the mass dissemination of identical narratives across multiple social media platforms;
  • calls for panic or urgent evacuation;
  • videos of unknown origin attributed to “eyewitnesses”.

The most effective defense against IPSO remains critical thinking and reliance on official sources of information.

Today, Sumy is not only a border city but also one of the key fronts in Russia’s information war against Ukraine. While missiles and artillery were once the Kremlin’s primary weapons, it is now increasingly relying on panic, fear, and distrust within Ukrainian society.