How Russia turns Ukrainian strikes into propaganda | Ukraine This Week
The Kyiv Independent
— · 28min
Is Ukraine deliberately targeting civilians inside Russia?
In this episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines what we actually know about civilian deaths linked to Ukrainian strikes, how international humanitarian law distinguishes military targets from civilian targets, and why many of the most high-profile incidents remain difficult to verify.
Featuring insights from Kyiv Independent junior investigative reporter Linda Hourani and war correspondent Janine di Giovanni, Anna explores how the Kremlin uses Ukrainian attacks that inflict civilian casualties to shape public opinion, justify escalation, and reinforce its long-standing narrative of Ukrainian "terrorism." The episode also examines what verified evidence shows, why civilian casualties remain one of war's most difficult realities, and how Russia's information strategy fits into its broader war against Ukraine.
00:00 Intro
01:10 Civilian casualties explained
06:12 Support independent journalism in Ukraine
06:45 Russia's deadliest claims
09:54 Investigating Starobilsk
15:35 Russia's “retaliation”
18:57 Putin's playbook
23:30 How propaganda shapes war
25:31 Member Q&A
28:28 Outro
Read more about the Kyiv Independent's investigative story about Ukraine’s attack on Starobilsk: https://kyivindependent.com/what-we-know-about-starobilsk-strike-russia-turned-into-propaganda-flashpoint/
Watch more from the Kyiv Independent on Russia’s information warfare strategy:
Become a member of our community: https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=weekly_show_233&utm_medium=233
Your support allows us to bring independent, locally sourced reporting from Ukraine to the world.
Subscribe to our show for more independent reporting from Ukraine.
#UkraineThisWeek #RussiaUkraineWar #RussianPropaganda #WarCrimes #UkrainianStrikes