Messages about offensive on Kharkiv are Russian psyop – Ukraine's Defence Intelligence

The Defence Forces of Ukraine have not recorded the formation of any Russian assault groups for repeated attacks on Ukraine. Military intelligence says the Russians are trying to sow panic in Ukraine by spreading misinformation about "an offensive on Kharkiv".

Source: Andrii Yusov, a representative of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, during the national joint 24/7 newscast 

Details: Yusov noted that in addition to the psychological operation about "Putin's intentions to seize Kharkiv", the Russians are using other topics to destabilise the internal situation in Ukraine. He said Ukraine's military leadership is developing various plans to counter the Russians.

Quote: "Other things are happening in parallel with this; for example, the Belarusian topic has become more active again. Or some other issues that the enemy likes to use to stir up panic, particularly within the country.

Nothing strategically new has happened with regard to the formation of attack groups.

What is happening is being communicated and explained, and ultimately, independent military analysts, not just officials, can analyse and confirm this information.

As for how we should respond... Of course, the strengthening of the defence line along the entire front is now extremely intensive.

There are various plans, the command is working on various scenarios. But the immediate threat that ‘they will attack tomorrow’ and ‘we must immediately flee and spread panic’ is, of course, a Russian psyop."

Reference: Psyop stands for Psychological Operation. The purpose of psyops is to influence the mood of different groups of society. The components of a psyop include propaganda, disinformation, concealment of certain information, and inflation and exaggeration of other information.

Background:

• Latvia-based Russian news outlet Meduza has reported, citing sources close to the Kremlin, that the Russian "political elite" has not ruled out that Russia and its ruler Vladimir Putin may try to capture Kharkiv and gradually end the so-called special military operation, as they call the war against Ukraine. 
• Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, says the military is carrying out large-scale work to fortify the areas where the Russians might take offensive actions. He has also expressed the view that a possible occupation offensive on Kharkiv would be a fatal mistake for Russia.
• Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov has stressed that despite the constant attacks, neither the authorities nor the military see any need to evacuate the city.

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