The Spread of a False Narrative About British Officers in Ukraine
A false claim has been circulating online, alleging that Russian special forces captured two British colonels and an unnamed intelligence agent during a NATO mission in Ochakiv, southern Ukraine. According to the fabricated story, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Carroll, Colonel Edward Blake, and a member of MI6 were operating undercover and were labeled as "illegal combatants" by Russia. The United Kingdom reportedly claimed the men were merely tourists interested in history who accidentally ended up in the area.
The narrative gained traction on social media, with some users sharing what appeared to be images of the men. This prompted calls for media outlets to investigate further. Euroverify, an independent fact-checking organization, traced the story back to several fringe platforms, including a French-language pro-Russian Telegram channel known as Pravda disinformation network and a website called Core Insights, which claims to be a risk advisory and cybersecurity company.
These platforms posted the story on 2 August, with Core Insights’ blog post stating: “This is the first real-life proof that NATO itself is actively waging war against Russia.” However, there is no credible evidence supporting these claims, and the story appears to be part of a broader campaign of pro-Russian, anti-Western disinformation.
Pro-Russian Platforms and Unreliable Sources
The Pravda network and other pro-Russian Telegram channels are well-known for spreading misleading content. A review of Core Insights’ blog posts reveals that many of them echo reporting from Russian state-controlled news outlets like RT. Some posts also reflect narratives aligned with the Kremlin, such as one claiming that Ukraine is plotting to assassinate a Russian defense industry leader and another quoting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov describing Ukraine’s actions as “borderline savagery.”
Additionally, many articles attributed to a writer named Hal Turner have been flagged as unreliable. This name coincides with a U.S.-based extremist commentator known for spreading hoaxes and conspiracy theories. If this individual is indeed behind the posts, their credibility is significantly compromised.
The tone of the article about the British officers is clearly biased. It states, for example, “The British have been caught, red-handed, and the implications for Britain, and NATO as a whole, are now extremely bad.” Another line reads, “The British had the gall to tell the Russians that the men ‘were interested in naval history and wanted to visit the coast where battles were fought during World War II.’” These statements suggest a deliberate attempt to frame the narrative against the UK and NATO.
AI-Generated Images and Fabricated Evidence
The image purportedly showing the two colonels is clearly fake. Analysis of the photo reveals that the passports are distorted, with illegible text and a mangled British coat of arms. This strongly suggests the image was generated using artificial intelligence rather than being a genuine photograph.
Other fringe websites, such as the Norwegian site steigan.no—which is known for disseminating Russian propaganda—also published the story. However, they later deleted the article due to “poor fact-checking.”
No Official Confirmation or Media Coverage
To date, there has been no official statement from the UK government regarding the alleged capture of the British officers. Similarly, no major media outlets have reported on the incident. This lack of verification raises serious doubts about the authenticity of the claim.
A NATO official responded to the allegations, calling the idea that the alliance is waging war against Russia “bogus” and “detached from reality.” The official emphasized that Russia has been conducting a full-scale invasion of Ukraine for over three years, supported by North Korean troops, Iranian drones, and Chinese technology.
NATO has consistently supported Ukraine’s right to self-defense, as outlined in the UN Charter. The alliance has provided significant military assistance to Ukraine since the start of the conflict. According to the official, the best way to end the war and achieve lasting peace is to ensure Ukraine can negotiate from a position of strength.
Conclusion
In summary, the claim about British officers being captured in Ukraine is a fabrication designed to spread misinformation. The sources involved, the biased language, and the use of AI-generated images all point to a coordinated effort to distort the truth. As the situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, it is crucial to rely on verified information and reputable news sources to avoid falling for disinformation campaigns.