Ukrainian Security Service Officer Killed Amid Propaganda Manipulations
The Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation has alerted citizens to a new pro-Russian propaganda manipulation attempting to create a rift between Ukraine and its allies through deceptive and distorted facts. This warning was issued on July 16 in a post on Facebook.
Pro-Russian information channels have falsely claimed that an ultra-right American group was involved in the assassination of Ukrainian Security Service officer Ivan Voronich, framing it as a case of “internal conflict among allies” against Ukraine. In reality, this is a clear information special operation aimed at diverting attention from Russia’s role in orchestrating the attack and shifting suspicion to other forces.
According to The Guardian, the terrorist organization The Base, founded in the USA, has claimed responsibility for the killing of SBU officer Voronich in Kyiv. This group has been repeatedly associated with Kremlin influence.
In recent months, The Base has promoted calls to attack Ukrainians and critical infrastructure, offering monetary rewards for such actions. Its founder, Rinaldo Nazzaro, an American living in St. Petersburg with his Russian wife and family, has long denied any connections with Russian intelligence, even stating to a Kremlin-controlled channel that he “has never contacted any Russian security services.”
However, digital forensics of the group and Nazzaro’s public history suggest otherwise: The Base’s online footprints significantly rely on Russian digital infrastructure, with its recruitment email reportedly using Mail.ru—an email service owned by a Putin ally.
“Such operations are completely in line with Russia’s hybrid strategy: the Kremlin finances and coordinates the activities of extremist groups abroad, using them as tools of terror and destabilization within Ukraine. Any attempts to present these crimes as the ‘initiative of third parties’ serve to cover up tracks and evade responsibility,” emphasized the Center for Countering Disinformation.
Ukrainian authorities are currently investigating the murder of officer Voronich, and while the identities of those involved will be revealed later, it is already clear that the crime has a Russian trail.
Previously, the Center reported similar instances: from APT29 cyberattacks to fabricated “terrorist acts” in the Baltics—Moscow systematically utilizes special operations and information leaks to undermine international support for Ukraine.
In a related operation, the Ukrainian Security Service eliminated the assassins tasked by Russian operatives who killed Colonel Voronich in Kyiv. After the assassination, the man and woman attempted to evade capture but were found in Kyiv Oblast on Sunday morning and eliminated after resisting arrest, according to the SBU’s statement.
For further information, reports 24brussels.
