Ukraine Counters Disinformation Campaign Promising Fictitious UAH 24,000 Payments
Kyiv, Ukraine – The Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), operating under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, has issued a stern warning against a sophisticated disinformation campaign circulating on social media platforms, particularly TikTok. This campaign falsely claims that the Ukrainian government is offering a one-time payment of UAH 24,000 to citizens who remained in the country following the full-scale Russian invasion that commenced on February 24, 2022. The CCD has categorically debunked this claim, emphasizing that no such resolution exists and urging citizens to remain vigilant against such manipulative tactics.
The disinformation campaign utilizes a video circulating on TikTok, alleging that the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, adopted "Resolution No. 4425" authorizing these payments. The video further claims that the program is administered through the "eSupport" platform and disbursed via the "Diia" app, a popular government services application. To lend an air of authenticity, the video directs viewers to a link purportedly containing further details. However, the CCD has confirmed that no such resolution exists on the Verkhovna Rada’s official website.
The CCD’s investigation revealed that the perpetrators of this disinformation campaign meticulously replicated the design of the Verkhovna Rada website to deceive unsuspecting users. The link provided in the video does not lead to an official government resource but instead directs users to anonymous Telegram channels. The CCD believes that this tactic is employed to artificially inflate the reach of these channels and attract a larger audience. This incident underscores the increasing sophistication of disinformation campaigns targeting Ukrainians during this sensitive period.
This recent disinformation campaign mirrors a previous incident involving the "Reserve+" app, where false claims circulated regarding the app’s alleged collection of user geolocation data. The Ministry of Defense promptly refuted these claims, highlighting the persistent efforts to undermine public trust in government institutions and services. The CCD’s swift response in debunking this latest fabrication underscores the importance of verifying information from official sources and remaining critical of information encountered online.
The CCD emphasizes the importance of relying on verified information channels and encourages citizens to consult the official websites of government institutions, such as the Verkhovna Rada and the Ministry of Digital Transformation, for accurate information regarding government programs and initiatives. Citizens are urged to report any suspicious online activity or potential disinformation campaigns to the CCD to help combat the spread of false information.
The Ukrainian government remains committed to providing accurate and timely information to its citizens. In this time of heightened tension and vulnerability to disinformation, critical thinking and reliance on official sources are paramount. The CCD continues to work diligently to identify and counter disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining public trust and national security. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing information warfare accompanying the physical conflict and the need for constant vigilance in the digital space.