Top PSYOPs of the Week (14.09. – 20.09.2026): Kharkiv holds the dome, Z-bloggers — black eyes for "cauldrons". And we haven't even started yet, Ukrainian-style

— Nah. I just said on air that our “cauldron” near Velykyi Burluk and the “liberation” of Zolotyi Kolodiaz are virtual.

— So who gave you the black eye?

— My curator. He said if I ruin another “victory,” I’ll be commanding the “northern claw” with my other eye!

The Russian propaganda machine never tires of inventing new “victory coordinates” in an effort to sow despondency among Ukrainians and cover up its own strategic dead end.

The main “blockbuster” of the week for enemy fake-makers was yet another epic “virtual capture” of Ukrainian territories — stretching from the Kharkiv region to the Donetsk region.

However, this time Russian propaganda outdid itself: even its own Z-bloggers stopped believing in its hallucinations about “cauldrons” and “encirclements,” getting very real black eyes for their skepticism.

Vivaldi’s Music & Disinformation on the Donetsk Front: Official Russian media and Z-channels attempted to push narratives about encirclements around Lyman, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, and the capture of Sviatohirsk. However, Commander of the 3rd Army Corps Andriy Biletsky confirmed that the Russian "northern claw" in the Donetsk region has been effectively destroyed, leaving Russian forces stuck in open fields under Ukrainian fire while propaganda invents fake advances.

Patrushev’s Nostalgic Rhetoric Against Poland: Putin’s advisor Nikolai Patrushev threatened to destroy Polish statehood in "2–3 days" following ironic statements from Poland regarding air superiority. This reflects Moscow's habit of resorting to nuclear threats and grandstanding when real battlefield progress stalls, aimed primarily at scaring Western allies and comforting internal Russian audiences.

Kharkiv Anti-Drone “Dome” Disinformation: Russian proxy outlets launched a smear campaign against the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration’s new anti-drone defense system, falsely claiming funds were stolen and the "dome" is ineffective. Official data from August shows over 3,000 aerial targets intercepted (including 1,844 Molniya drones and 411 FPVs), proving the system’s effectiveness despite enemy propaganda attempts to induce panic.

Iuliia Mendel & AfD Event in Brussels: Former presidential press secretary Iuliia Mendel spoke at an anti-armaments event organized by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Due to a lack of accreditation, the speech took place near a perimeter fence outside the European Parliament, yet Russian media spun it as a major address inside the institution to promote "peace on Kremlin terms."

The "Poisoned Arrow Effect" in Polish-Ukrainian Relations: Polish researchers identified Russian and Belarusian psychological operations using historic trauma (such as the 1943 Volhynia tragedy) as a "poisoned arrow" to inflame division, mistrust, and anti-Ukrainian sentiment among Polish citizens, even after fake documents are debunked.

Fake Escort Scams in Kharkiv Region: Local police uncovered a fraud ring selling fake adult services using catfish profiles. The scheme mirrors PSYOP mechanics by exploiting desires and fears to manipulate behavior, serving as a reminder that critical thinking is essential both in national security and everyday digital life.

Read more in the Ukrainian edition....