Popasna which is situated in the Luhansk region, was occupied twice during the Russian-Ukrainian war. For the first time - in 2014, for the second time - from May 8, 2022 to the present day. This became the reason why the city and its residents were constantly under the influence of Russian propaganda. The created information "bubble" consisted of facts that are beneficial to the enemy, and actually turned out to be fake.
The TRYBUN journalist has analyzed and refuted the narratives and fakes that Russia spread in Popasna at the beginning of the war in 2014, and in the media space about the city during the full-scale invasion.
"Russian Spring" in Popasna: how a propaganda picture was created
The wave of mass protests and actions organized by Russia in 2014 known as "Russian Spring" also covered Popasna.
At that time, propaganda messages were promoted about “pinching of Russian-speakers in Donbas", "conducting a referendum on joining the Luhansk and Donetsk regions to the Russian Federation", "introduction of Russian troops for so-called protection".
All actions were aimed at setting the population against the Ukrainian government and organizing its "support" for the start of the war and the occupation of the territories.
Pro-Russian forces organized rallies in Popasna on the main squares of the city – Peace Square and Heroes Square. Collaborators and elderly people who had Soviet views participated in them.
Some residents took a detached view at this "movement". But several young people, mostly boys, were attracted by the militarized part of the "Russian Spring", when it came to the so-called "protection" of the city from the "Banderites" and their "regime".
In the spring of 2014, in Popasna, one of the rallies was held on the Peace Square under the slogans "Yanukovych is the legitimate president", "We are for the referendum".
But propagandists devoted a special event to the topic of the "referendum". People who fell under the influence of Russian propaganda gathered on Heroes' Square to talk about Russia's occupation of the Luhansk region.
While the collaborators filmed a video for their curators about the Popasna residents support of the "Russian Spring" ideas, the normal life continued in the city.
All state institutions, city and district councils, schools, kindergartens, enterprises, etc. worked in Popasna, various events and celebrations took place under the Ukrainian flag.
This is confirmed by information from the official website of the Popasna City Military Administration.
At the same time, this is proof that pro-Russian forces had influence only on a certain group of people. They engaged special people, organized actions with posters, flags, performances to create a propaganda picture, which was distributed for their own purposes in the media space.
"Russian Spring" in Popasna did not get a city scale. The majority of residents did not support pro-Russian ideas and movements. And later, when hostilities began in the city, they cooperated with Ukrainian military servicemen and helped them to liberate the city from the Russian occupation.
"Banderites will come and topple the monument to Lenin"
The separatists spread this propaganda message in Popasna in 2014.
It was created because of the events in 2013, when during the Revolution of Dignity activists toppled a monument to Lenin on Bessarabian Square in Kyiv. It was a demonstrative step in getting rid of the symbols of the Soviet regime, totalitarianism and the beginning of the processes of decommunization and de-russification.
From that time, a wave of dismantling began in all corners of Ukraine. The process of decommunization was covered by Russian propaganda in a different way - as the deprivation of the historical past.
Therefore, the message " Banderites will come and topple the monument to Lenin" in Popasna during the active propaganda of the "Russian Spring" sounded not only "true", but also intimidating.
What is it actually happened?
The monument stood in its usual form until May 2015. Then the soldiers of the "Vinnytsia" battalion, who were already performing tasks in Popasna, which had already been liberated from occupation, "handed" to Lenin the flag of Ukraine and made the inscription "Glory to Ukraine".
In September 2015, the Lenin monument was officially dismantled, and a fountain was built in its place.
"The Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed Popasna": a "ghost town"
Since 2014, the occupiers have been accusing the Ukrainian Armed Forces of shelling civilians and settlements in Luhansk and Donetsk regions. This is one of the key messages of Russian propaganda.
During the full-scale invasion, Popasna suffered significant destruction - the city was destroyed by Russian troops.
However, on their own resources, the Russians spread the information that "Ghost town: the Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed the entire housing stock of Popasna", "Ukrainian fascists destroy the already destroyed city of Popasna to dust" and publish footage of the destroyed neighborhoods of the city.
The fact that Popasna was shelled by Russian troops is confirmed by video.
For example, in this storyline, you can see what consequences the city suffered after the occupiers were shelled from the “Grad” anti-aircraft missile system in 2014.
And this is how they fired at Popasna during the battles of the full-scale invasion, Russian fighters filmed and published on Telegram channels themselves.
After the occupation of Popasna on May 8, 2022, the Russian military looted in the city. Stolen things were taken out on a tank.
"Evacuation of civilians was not carried out"
Since February 2022, when a full-scale war began, Popasna has been under constant fire from Russian troops. Due to active hostilities and subsequent occupation, residents were forced to move to safer territory.
The occupiers claim that the Ukrainian side did not evacuate the residents. In April 2022, the enemy resource "Luhansk Information Center" published a text that "the Ukrainian Armed Forces are not evacuating civilians from Popasna."
This information is not true.
In addition to the fact that the Ukrainian military helped Popasna residents to reach safe places, an official evacuation was organized by the authorities, as well as volunteers and involved people.
Residents were informed about the organization of departure from the city.
Reconstruction of Popasna": repair work in the city
One of the most common and relevant fakes about the city as of 2024.
For the first time, the occupiers were informed about the repair work in Popasna on January 15, 2024. At that time, they stated that "a humanitarian action has been launched to carry out repair and restoration work on the housing stock damaged by hostilities, in which residents of Popasna permanently live."
It was planned to glaze the windows and cover the roofs.
In March, the occupation authorities announced the second stage of repair works and the delivery of construction materials to the city: slate, timber, plywood, insulation and double-glazed windows.
In May 2024, the Russians announced the alleged completion of "the work on the restoration of the roof and the complete closure of the heating circuit of 2 multi-apartment and 7 individual residential buildings."
It was indicated in the massage that "geological exploration work was also carried out to determine the further possibility of drilling a well to provide residents with artesian water."
As of July 2024, there are no photos of completed repair works in Popasna.
Recent videos from the occupied city show no changes in the residential sector or renovated facilities.
Author: Yuliia Kanzeba
