InformNapalm, Cyber Sprotyv say Trukha, some news outlets, bloggers shared misleading information citing their article

The international OSINT community InformNapalm and Ukrainian hacktivists from the Cyber ​​Sprotyv team say that the Telegram channel Trukha, some Ukrainian media and bloggers spread misleading information citing their article about hacking a Russian UAV manufacturer.

The teams posted a joint statement on the InformNapalm Telegram channel on April 22.

InformNapalm notes that the article in question is "Hacking Russian UAV Manufacturer. Part 1: Who assembles Geran-2?", which was released on April 15, 2024.

The reports by Trukha, the news outlets and bloggers say that the Russians have made the combat part of "Shaheds" larger, reaching 90 kg, and are using "Kyivstar" SIM cards.

The information reported by Trukha. Photo by InformNapalm on Telegram

The OSINT community states that the AlabugaLeaks dumps and the InformNapalm materials did not feature this data, which was reported by Trukha today and picked up by some Ukrainian news outlets and bloggers.

"Although Trukha cites our article, the data presented in their post was NOT in the dumps or in the study. It is possible that unknown actors are pushing this information through Trukha while citing the InformNapalm article to legitimize their own information, which may be misleading or false," the statement reads.

InformNapalm and Cyber ​​Sprotyv ask the journalists of the TSN News channels, Andriy Tsaplienko, and all others who shared the Trukha report falsely citing "InformNapalm data" this morning to add an update saying that "this information is not reported by InformNapalm, but was included by unknown actors who decided to cover up their operation with a text link to "InformNapalm data".

The information reported by TSN News and Andriy Tsaplienko. Photo by InformNapalm on Telegram

On March 18, 2024, several Ukrainian online media outlets and Telegram channels shared fake news about the death of King Charles III of Great Britain.

The chair of the National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting, Olha Herasymyuk, has suggested that the Telegram channel "Trukha" register as an online media outlet, but the channel has not yet submitted an application.

Maksym Lavrynenko, who has repeatedly claimed to be the owner of the "Trukha" network, was accredited to attend the press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky on December 19, 2023.

On October 16, 2023, the President's Office organized a closed meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and the editors of multiple Ukrainian media outlets, inviting Trukha. Representatives of the anonymous Telegram channel being invited to the meeting caused outrage in parts of the media community.