Russian Propaganda Spreads Fake News About Schools in Kharkiv Teaching «Voodoo Doll Making»
In a disturbing twist of misinformation, Russian Telegram channels have been disseminating false reports claiming that schools in Kharkiv, Ukraine, are conducting sessions on «making voodoo dolls.» This claim was recently debunked by the Center for Counteracting Disinformation.
According to Russian propagandists, it was alleged that a deputy head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine was teaching children in a Kharkiv school how to create voodoo dolls purportedly intended for casting spells on Russians. The Center for Counteracting Disinformation dismissed this narrative as yet another absurd fabrication from Russian propagandists suffering from a lack of creativity.
In reality, children from the Novobavar district of Kharkiv participated in a workshop titled «Amulet for a Warrior,» where they learned to craft traditional Ukrainian motanka dolls. A motanka is a folk amulet that, according to Ukrainian customs, is designed to provide assistance and protect against negative influences, rather than inflict harm. Various types of motanka exist, aimed at safeguarding homes, children, and households.
There were no military personnel present at this workshop, and while some African nations indeed practice voodoo rituals, including the use of dolls for magical ceremonies, such practices bear no relevance to Ukrainian traditions.
The Center for Counteracting Disinformation emphasizes that such fabrications are propagated with the intent to cultivate a negative perception of Ukrainian soldiers and incite hatred among Russians towards Ukrainians.
This is not the first instance in which Russian propagandists have distorted educational activities in Kharkiv for their fabricated narratives. For example, seminars for teachers on the topic of «Defending Ukraine» were previously misrepresented as training for pensioners to serve as human shields for Kharkiv.
In conclusion, the spread of misinformation targeting Ukraine continues unabated as Russian propaganda seeks to manipulate public perception and exacerbate tensions. It is crucial for the international community to remain vigilant in recognizing and countering these falsehoods, which aim to undermine the integrity and security of Ukrainian society.
