The Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, addressed the Ukrainians against the background of fake reports circulated by Russian media claiming his alleged "injury" or "death".
The video was released by Colonel Anatoliy Shtefan (“Shtirlitz”).
"Throughout May, we are witnessing enchanting and science fiction stories made up by Russian propaganda, as well as various conspiracy versions by so-called experts. Finally, today, on May 25, I’d like to reveal a massive secret, a really massive terrible secret about the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," said Shtefan.
After that, Zaluzhnyi comes into the frame, saying: "I sincerely thank all Ukrainians, together we will definitely win. And not only today. Always."
Previously, Russian propaganda media claimed that Zaluzhnyi had allegedly been killed, before updating their reports to claim he was severely injured. This, propagandists suggested, would prevent the commander-in-chief from performing his duties.
On May 24, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Oleksiy Danilov, reported that at the morning meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Volodymyr Zelensky heard the report of CinC Valeriy Zaluzhnyi.
On May 20, Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar stated that the Russians had launched a fake story about Zaluzhnyi's “disappearance” to demoralize defenders of Bakhmut.
