On August 1, new propaganda TV channel “ZaTV” started working in the occupied Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia oblast.

This was reported by a number of russian media outlets with reference to Vladimir Rogov, a self-proclaimed member of the pseudo-administration of Zaporizhia oblast.

The regional IMI representative also notes that reports about the opening of a “regional russian TV channel in the oblast” were spreading on August 1 through the main Telegram channels of local collaborators.

“ZaTV” channel was opened by the self-proclaimed head of Zaporizhzhia oblast pseudo-administration Yevhen Balytsky. On his Telegram channel, he reported that “the television channel… is a great help in matters of truth, in matters of explaining the situation, solving the problems of all residents of Zaporizhzhia oblast.”

At the same time, according to Perevireno.Zaporizhzhia project, the “official Telegram channel” of the self-proclaimed head of the region is at the forefront of spreading fakes and manipulations in Zaporizhzhia oblast.

It is currently unknown who became the head of the collaborationist TV channel, which positions itself as a regional one. As IMI was able to find out, the new TV channel’s studio was opened separately from the “Melitopol” (TVM) and MTV Plus TV channels. The studio was opened under the seized TV tower located in Melitopol. Although, according to Opendatabot, collaborator Yevhen Balytsky is the owner of MTV Plus Television and Radio Company LLC. It is his “LEGION” LLC that owns 100% of the TV company.

Currently, information about the TV channel “MTV Plus” on the Ukrainian- and russian-language Wikipedia pages has been edited. Namely, the description of the TV channel reads, “Melitopol TV Company is one of the largest TV companies in Zaporizhzhia oblast. It rebroadcasts the programs of the informational TV channel Rossiya 24 and also has daily four hours of its own air time, filled by informational and analytical programs on regional topics. The office is located in Melitopol at Khmelnytsky Ave. 70B, first floor.” However, it is noted on the Wikipedia pages that the information about the rebroadcast (previously the TV channel would broadcast programs of the satellite channel Sonce) was edited on July 12, 2022 and is unverified.

As IMI reported, in March, the occupiers kidnapped several journalists of the MV-holding; later, the media holding closed down. Also, almost all pro-Ukrainian media stopped working in Melitopol.