FAKE: A russian serviceman personally neutralized nine mines and two bombs to ensure a “successful offensive”

Social networks disseminate posts about the “heroism” of the Russian military that invaded Ukraine. Among other stories, propaganda outlets talk about the chief of staff of the pontoon crossings battalion, captain Anton Mikhaylus. It is argued that he and his subordinates broke through the echelon defense of Ukrainian troops.

“He personally defused nine anti-tank mines and two improvised explosive devices, thanks to which our armored vehicles continued the offensive, avoiding losses,” Russian websites and social media groups wrote.

The Center for Counteracting Disinformation (CCD) at the National Security and Defense Council debunked this fake news. 

“For starters, the russian army’s pontoon crossings battalions are designed to provide combat support for troops crossing large water obstacles. Second, mine clearance is carried out by combat engineering regiments, brigades, and companies. Third, only a person not familiar with the realities of the russian armed forces would believe that a chief of staff went out to clear the mines himself,” the CCD wrote.

Alongside Mikhail, similar posts mention the “heroism” of junior sergeant Yevgeny Balukhta, who destroyed a “truck carrying 25 nationalists,” and senior lieutenant Aleksei Grishyn, who allegedly shot down a Sukhoi Su-25 aircraft of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. There is no evidence of such losses from the Armed Forces.