Following Russia’s missile strikes on Ukraine and the deadly bombing of hospitals, pro-Kremlin media in Europe orchestrated a disinformation campaign, claiming Ukrainian forces use hospitals as “human shields.”
Since the Russian missile attack on Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt children’s hospital on July 8, pro-Kremlin media in the Czech Republic have been actively spreading disinformation about the attack.
As part of our collaborative research with Espreso Global on Russian disinformation in European media, we have identified Czech outlets that have been disseminating pro-Kremlin narratives in the latest study and revealed their favorite topics.
Initially, Russia denied targeting the hospital, asserting that debris from a Ukrainian air defense missile struck it.
Following this, there were a number of false reports, including ones alleging that Ukrainian President Zelensky was planning to use the hospital’s children as shields in order to secure more funding from Western nations.
The Czech pro-Kremlin media picked up the claims, spreading them to domestic audiences.
Czech media outlet spreading Russian fakes
The Czech media outlets spread Russian propaganda by framing their articles to cast doubt on Ukraine’s actions and selectively citing sources that support a pro-Russian narrative.
They spread a provocative statement undermining Ukrainian claims, then asserted that Ukrainian forces, not Russian ones, attacked a children’s hospital, citing dubious sources like pro-Russian bloggers and Kremlin officials.
‘Another Kyiv provocation’
“I hate to say it, but… Kyiv launched another provocation, announcing that Russian armed forces had attacked a children’s hospital. However, the Ukrainian side, using an air defense missile, carried out the strike. Observers believe that after the attack on the hospital, “many people will end up in the basement of the SBU (Secret Service of Ukraine)”.”
- https://www.pokec24.cz/politika/nerad-to-rikam-ale/
The claim continues: “Video footage from the scene shows that an air defense missile of the Ukrainian Armed Forces damaged the building.” Needless to say, they never provided any footage or other form of proof.
Instead, to substantiate these claims, the outlet cited the Stalin Strait Telegram channel’s author, a pro-war Russian military blogger, and an X OSINT-account AMK Mapping, described as being “on Zelensky’s side.”
However, despite the account’s claim to be pro-Ukrainian, its bio indicates criticism toward Zelensky. Furthermore, on the same day, the account posted a series of tweets apologizing and retracting, acknowledging evidence that Russia was responsible for the strike using a Kh-101 missile. The outlet failed to correct their initial statements and instead manipulated the narrative to suggest that even pro-Ukrainian sources support their false claims.
The outlet then cites the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, stating the attack is a “Jesuit PR operation for blood” staged by Ukraine “to create a backdrop for Volodymyr Zelensky’s participation in the NATO summit.”
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, claimed that a missile from the Norwegian anti-aircraft missile system NASAMS caused damage at the Kyiv Okhmatdyt children’s hospital. Zakharova asserted that a missile from the Ukrainian air defense system went off course and struck the hospital, a claim “corroborated by several witnesses.”
“Ukrainian armed forces themselves are hiding behind civilian objects and even civilians,” the outlet then alleges, forgetting to present any form of proof to substantiate the war crimes accusations.
‘Zelensky hides Ukrainian forces behind children’s hospital’
Another Czech outlet, Nova Republika, starts by criticizing Ukraine for a request to attend a Security Council meeting, contrasting it with “normal” formal letters from European countries. This portrays Ukraine as disruptive and Russia as a reasonable defender of UN protocols, despite Russia’s own controversial actions.
“The Kyiv regime and its selected propagandists have been screaming for half a day that this is the targeted destruction of Ukraine and its civilians… by Russia, of course. However, when a video shows a NATO air defense missile hitting a hospital, the narrative shifts dramatically. The focus abruptly shifts away from the ‘Russian missile,’ leading to the revision of old reports. Although they are accurate on certain points—this is indeed a targeted destruction of Ukraine—Ukraine is being destroyed with the help of the Kyiv junta and various political puppets. All of this serves the interests of global puppeteers, who consider the destruction of Slavic nations a success and a cause for celebration among themselves.”
- https://www.novarepublika.cz/2024/07/zelenskyj-skryva-ukrajinske-sily-za-detske-nemocnice
The article then moves on to promote conspiracy theories about Western motivations for supporting Ukraine.
The outlet fails to substantiate its claims with links or references to the articles it alleges have altered their positions. There is also a lack of evidence supporting the assertion that Western “puppeteers” are actively seeking the downfall of Slavic nations.
Both outlets adopt Russian propaganda terminology, referring to Ukraine and its authorities as “Kyiv junta,” “Kyiv regime,” “Zelenky’s land,” etc.
NovaRepublika also highlighted statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense and “military analysts” suggesting that Ukrainian air defenses, not Russian missiles, caused damage to civilian infrastructure in Kyiv.
Debunking of Russian fakes by independent analysts
The independent investigative team at Bellingcat provided a detailed analysis that debunks the false claims. Their report includes comparisons of screenshots and pictures, along with photos of missile remnants found at the attack site. Other fact-checkers, OSINT analysts, such as GeoConfirmed, and official investigations have confirmed that a Russian Kh-101 missile indeed struck the children’s hospital.
By ignoring credible evidence and international sources, pro-Russian Сzech outlet amplifies a skewed view aligned with Russian interests, thereby spreading disinformation.
Pro-Russian media in the Czech Republic create and spread fabricated stories designed to provoke strong emotional reactions, such as fear, anger, or solidarity. These stories often reinforce existing biases or stoke division within targeted populations, further blurring the line between fact and fiction.
