Ukraine has raised alarms over a disinformation campaign initiated by Russia, targeting Ukrainian Olympic athletes ahead of the upcoming games. This campaign reportedly involves the spread of false information, including claims about Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was recently banned from competing due to a helmet featuring images of fallen Ukrainian athletes. Ukrainian officials, including the sports minister Matviy Bidny, have emphasized that such fabrications are part of a broader strategy by Russia to discredit Ukraine and weaken international support for the nation.

The disinformation in question has gained significant traction online, with misleading posts amassing over a million views across various platforms. Notably, one particular post manipulated a story from the news agency Reuters, falsely suggesting that Heraskevych's brother was recruiting soldiers for the war. This type of misinformation is not only damaging to the reputation of individual athletes but also threatens to alter public perception of Ukraine's struggle and its representation in international sports.

The Ukrainian Center for Prevention of Disinformation has pointed out how these deceptive narratives directly attempt to undermine the solidarity for Ukraine, especially in a global setting like the Olympics where national pride and representation are at stake. The issue highlights an ongoing information warfare scenario, where the stakes extend beyond sports, affecting national identity and international relations.