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The apparent battlefield gains do not correspond with reality, however.
Seeing is believing in modern conflict.
The camera lens often shapes how the public understands a battlefield, turning small moments into massive victories.
Now, Putin’s forces are reportedly relying on fabricated visuals to win the war of perception.
Faking the frontline
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia is using artificial intelligence to fake its military progress.
Analysts at the ISW recently spotted deepfake videos showing troops raising flags across various combat zones. The footage looks incredibly real at first glance.
The strategy actually started changing back in the summer of 2025. Military units began sneaking small groups behind enemy lines just long enough to plant a banner and record a quick clip. They would immediately retreat, but the resulting video made it look as though they had captured new territory.
These brief incursions were never about holding actual ground. They were strictly designed to feed a hungry social media machine back home, giving citizens a false sense of pride.
Viewers would see the flags flying and naturally assume a sweeping victory was underway.
A digital upgrade
According to the ISW those simple recordings evolved quickly over the winter months. The Kremlin shifted from rough smartphone clips to heavily edited, high-production montages.
Today, the military is reportedly relying on advanced computer-generated imagery to completely invent victories from thin air.
ISW also notes that the timing of this digital push is highly suspicious. Moscow released these allegedly fabricated clips shortly before the country celebrated Victory Day on May 9.
High-ranking officials likely needed something flashy to show the public after their troops failed to capture actual territory before the holiday deadline.
Experts believe this points to a highly coordinated propaganda campaign orchestrated by top military leaders. They want the public to think their army is advancing across the map without meaningful resistance. The ultimate goal is to create widespread panic.
Masking the reality
This type of cognitive warfare aims to break the spirit of the opposing side. If a nation believes its defensive lines are falling apart, exhausted soldiers might stop fighting altogether. It is a cynical psychological tactic designed to win battles without firing a single shot.
But the facts tell a completely different story. The Institute for the Study of War clearly notes that the defensive lines are not collapsing. Russia is simply using digital illusions to hide a lack of genuine battlefield success.
Sources: Institute for the Study of War
