Russian propaganda about the Azov Brigade had international consequences, Ukraine’s National Guard spokesperson Ruslan Muzychuk told Ukrinform in an interview.
Muzychuk added that the unit’s efforts as well as consistent communication by the press service have shown that the brigade was an effective component of the National Guard and the Defense Forces of Ukraine working to defend the country.
“Other narratives were about the commanders: there were claims that demotivated the personnel, or reports alleging that the unit had abandoned some areas of the frontline or refused to perform combat missions. The enemy also produces fake news about the mobilisation effort failure, featuring the National Guard,” Ruslan Muzychuk said.
He added that the National Guard had stepped up their efforts to combat Russian propaganda.
“Thanks to interagency cooperation, working with media professionals, and cooperation with journalists, we quickly detect false claims and are able to provide clarifications or refute hostile narratives. The communications work of the National Guard and the Defense Forces is now effective, as pointed out by our international partners, with whom we also communicate strategically,” the spokesperson said.
In 2022, the National Guard of Ukraine refuted as fake the claims by the Russian Perviy Kanal that Ukrainian National Guardsmen served together with Russian troops at the Chornobyl NPP.